160 ORIGIN OF THE DISINTEGRATING BIOPLASTS. 



and the materials that entered into its composition are 

 converted into bioplasm. Of the numerous bioplasts 

 formed, some die, the products of their death being 

 taken up by the bioplasm of the capillaries, and that 

 of the blood, and the elements eliminated in other 

 states of combination in the urine and other excre- 

 tions. Many of the bioplasts, however, retain the 

 phosphate salts and other constituents which they 

 have taken up, and these are probably subsequently 

 employed in the formation of the new osseous tissue 

 which takes the place of that removed. 



219. Origin of the disintegrating bioplasts. With 

 regard to the origin of these disintegrating bioplasts 

 I have been able to show that at least in the case of 

 the removal of temporary bone at an early period of 

 life, they result from the division and subdivision of 

 the bioplasts of the original temporary cartilage, after 

 these had been for some time enclosed in the crypts or 

 spaces which were formed by the deposition of cal- 

 careous matter in the formed material or matrix in 

 the intervals between the cartilage bioplasts. See 

 " The Physiological Anatomy and Physiology of Man." 

 New edition, Part II., p. 278. 



220. Of the manner in which the removal of the 

 bone tissue is effected. There are few questions of 

 greater interest than this. We have discovered the 

 actual agents concerned in the removal of the hard 

 matter of bone as well as the softer material of other 

 tissues, as well as substances in solution in various fluids 

 in the body. It has been conclusively proved that the 

 active substance is living bioplasm. Such is the 

 marvellous power of this living material, that there 

 are probably few things in nature that are proof 

 against its destroying powers. The hardest material, 

 even flint itself, yields to the slow but sure disinte- 

 grating action of bioplasm. The most insoluble ma- 

 terials, as well as the most soluble are appropriated. 

 Patty matter is taken up by bioplasm, and almost as 



