310 PROTOPLASM 



must be admitted, on the other hand, that, with the 

 supposition of such a chemical composition for the sub- 

 stance of the framework, the appearance of an oil membrane 

 as the result of the decomposing action of water is rendered 

 possible. 



If the protoplasmic framework is composed of a body of 

 this kind, it is quite intelligible that local differences in 

 surface tension must produce phenomena of movement 

 similar to those which have been observed in the drops of 

 oil-froth. It is only a question whether the enchylema also 

 seems suited to play the part which pertains to it. With 

 reference to this point it is now specially important that, 

 according to the observations of Eeinke and Eodewald, the 

 enchylema has an alkaline reaction, which is observable in 

 the fluid squeezed out. That protoplasm as such has an 

 alkaline reaction, has been noted by a series of observers, 

 among whom I specially mention Fr. Schwarz. Eeinke and 

 Eodewald think they may conclude that the alkalinity 

 of the enchylema is produced by NH 3 or NH 4 NH 2 C0 2 . 

 Schwarz disputes this view, and attempts to show that com- 

 pounds of alkalies with protein bodies probably cause 

 this phenomenon. The possibility that saponaceous com- 

 pounds may be the cause of the reaction has not been 

 hitherto taken into consideration. Now whether the alkaline 

 reaction of the enchylema depends upon the one or the other 

 of these causes, the mere fact that there is such a reaction, 

 as well as that fats are probably never wanting in proto- 

 plasm, and that it is not, on the other hand, improbable that 

 fatty acids enter into the composition of the framework 

 substance, render it very possible indeed that the enchylema 

 must also contain saponaceous compounds in solution ; that 

 is to say, that it is perfectly capable of playing the part 

 which pertains to it, according to our conception of the 

 processes of movement. Since it may seem very premature 

 to speculate upon so obscure a subject as the connection 

 of the chemical processes in protoplasm, I content myself 

 with these remarks. 



The explanation of the processes of movement in 

 Amcebse is to be found, therefore, to my mind, in corre- 



