144 



ON THE PHYSICAL BASIS OF LIFE 



III 



term with such caution as may properly arise out 

 of our comparative ignorance of the things for 

 which it stands, it may be truly said, that all 

 protoplasm is proteinaceous, or, as the white, or 

 albumen, of an egg is one of the commonest 

 examples of a nearly pure proteine matter, we 

 may say that all living matter is more or less 

 albuminoid. 



Perhaps it would not yet be safe to say that all 

 forms of protoplasm are affected by the direct 

 action of electric shocks ; and yet the number of 

 cases in which the contraction of protoplasm is 

 shown to be affected by this agency increases 

 every day. 



Nor can it be affirmed with perfect confidence, 

 that all forms of protoplasm are liable to undergo 

 that peculiar coagulation at a temperature of 40 

 50 centigrade, which has been called " heat- 

 stiffening," though Kiihne's beautiful researches 

 have proved this occurrence to take place in so 

 many and such diverse living beings, that it is 

 hardly rash to expect that the law holds good for 

 all. 



Enough has, perhaps, been said to prove the 

 existence of a general uniformity in the character 

 of the protoplasm, or physical basis, of life, in 

 whatever group of living beings it may be studied. 

 But it will be understood that this general 

 uniformity by no means excludes any amount <>t' 



