METHODS 23 



constituents of the protoplasm must exist at the temperature 

 of dissociation. 



The fundamental experiment of dissociation is well known. 

 Above 960 Centigrade carbonate of lime contained in a 

 close vessel with carbonic acid and lime exists in equilibrium 

 with these its two constituent substances, just as water 

 in a close vessel is in equilibrium with its own steam. In- 

 crease slightly the pressure of the enclosing surface without 

 change in temperature, and the carbonic acid will combine 

 with the lime to form a new quantity of carbonate of lime : 

 diminish the pressure, on the contrary, or, the pressure 

 remaining constant, increase the temperature, and the 

 carbonate of lime will dissociate itself into lime and carbonic 

 acid. Every variation in temperature or pressure will thus 

 be accompanied by a formation or a dissociation of carbonate 

 of lime ; the chemical equilibrium existing between the 

 compound and its composing elements will therefore be 

 governed by the physical conditions existing within the 

 enclosed surface. Here we have chemistry and physics 

 united by relations of cause and effect ; and so inseparable 

 are they that scholars have had the idea of coining a new 

 term chemical physics to designate the science treating 

 of these phenomena which stand astride on chemistry and 

 physics. 



We can sum up, therefore, what has been so far said, in a 

 single formula the study of life belongs to chemical 

 physics. 



