AS REGARDS PROTOPLASM, ETC. 29 



organism are called protoplasm by Mr Huxley ; but can we pre- 

 dicate chemical identity of muscle and bone, for example V In 

 such cases Mr Huxley, it is true, may bring the word " modified " 

 into use ; but the objection of modification we shall examine 

 later. In the meantime, we are justified, by Mr Huxley's very 

 argument, in regarding all organised tissues whatever as proto- 

 plasm; for if these tissues are not to be identified in protoplasm, 

 we must suppose denied what it was his one business to affirm. 

 And it is against that affirmation that we point to the fact of 

 much chemical difference obtaining among the tissues, not only 

 in the proportions of their fundamental elements, but also in the 

 addition (and proportions as well) of such others as chlorine, 

 sulphur, phosphorus, potass, soda, lime, magnesia, iron, etc. 

 Vast differences vitally must be legitimately assumed for tissues 

 that are so different chemically. But, in the fourth place, we 

 have the authority of the Germans for asserting that the cells 

 themselves and they now, to the most advanced, are only 

 protoplasm do differ chemically, some being found to contain 

 glycogen, some cholesterine, some protagon, and some myosin. 

 Now such substances, let the chemical analogy be what it may, 

 must still be allowed to introduce chemical difference. In the 

 last place, Mr Huxley's analysis is an analysis of dead proto- 

 plasm, and indecisive, consequently, for that which lives. Mr 

 Huxley betrays sensitiveness in advance to this objection ; for 

 he seeks to rise above both sensitiveness and objection at once 

 by styling the latter " frivolous." Nevertheless the Germans 

 say pointedly that it is unknown whether the same elements 

 are to be referred to the cells after as before death. Kiihne 

 does not consider it proved that living muscle contains syntonin ; 

 yet Mr Huxley tells us, in his Physiology, that " syntonin is the 

 chief constituent of muscle and flesh/' In general, we may say, 

 according to Strieker, that all weight is put now on the examin- 

 ation of living tissue, and that the difference is fully allowed 

 between that and dead tissue. 



On the second clause now, or with regard to the action of 

 reagents, these must be denied to produce the like result on the 

 various forms of protoplasm. With reference to temperature, 

 for example, Kiihne reports the movements of the amoeba to be 

 arrested in iced water ; while, in the same medium, the ova of 

 the trout furrow famously, but perish even in a warmed room. 

 Others, again, we are told, may be actually dried, and yet live. 

 Of ova in general, in this connection, it is said that they live or 

 die according as the temperature to which they are exposed 

 differs little or much from that which is natural to the organ- 

 isms producing them. In some, according to Max Schultze, 

 even distilled water is enough to arrest movement. Now, not 

 to dwell longer here, both amoeba and ova are to Mr Huxley 



