MOVEMENTS OF BIOPLASM. 21 



living matter or bioplasm, from which the mucus has 

 been formed. These correspond with the masses of 

 bioplasm of the cartilage and the epithelium, and the 

 mucus with the formed material of these textures only. 

 (See also 79, 80, Lee. IV.) 



35. movements of bioplasm. The oval masses of 

 bioplasm in the mucus, like those in the tissues before 

 referred to are alive, but the bioplasm being free to 

 move in a soft medium, the remarkable movements 

 can be actually observed, and may be studied without 

 difficulty with the aid of a ^th of an inch object 

 glass, magnifying from six to seven hundred diameters 

 as will be explained in Lecture IV. : No material 

 can be made artificially, in which such movements as 

 these can be produced. \ This power of movement is 

 invariably possessed by bioplasm. The rootlets of the 

 plant extend themselves into the soil, because the 

 living matter at their extremities moves onwards , 

 from the point already reached. The tree grows 

 upwards against gravity by virtue of the same living 

 power of bioplasm. In every bud, portions of this 

 living matter tend to move away from the spot where 

 they were produced, and stretch upwards or onwards 

 in advance. No tissue of any living animal could be 

 formed unless the portions of bioplasm moved away 

 from one another. Portions of the bioplasm move and 

 place themselves beyond the point already gained. 

 The above are vital movements. (See 80.) 



36. Origin of nevr centres. But besides these 

 movements another phenomenon still more remarkable 

 occurs in connection with bioplasm. In the very 

 substance of the living matter itself, one or more 

 spots make their appearance, arising as it were from 

 within. They spring up and grow within the living 

 matter. Absorbing nutrient material they grow and 

 push outwards the bioplasm already existing. Again, 

 new points of bioplasm may arise within these last. 

 So that we may have two or three different centres of 



