IX 



SOME RECENT DEVELOPMENTS 

 OF THE CELL THEORY 



MY address last year was concerned with big rather 

 than with little animals, and might perhaps with 

 greater propriety have been delivered to a macro- 

 scopical rather than to a microscopical society. For 

 this however I propose to make amends to-night ; 

 and to the subject-matter of my address the most 

 ardent microscopist could hardly take exception, 

 however legitimate may be his dissatisfaction at the 

 mode of its presentation. For these more recent de- 

 velopments of the cell theory not merely depend 

 absolutely on the use of the microscope, but require 

 for their elucidation the very highest powers 

 obtainable, and the most refined methods of modern 

 histological research. In what I have to say to- 

 night I can make no claim to originality : my aim is 

 rather to give a summary of recent progress along 

 certain important lines of investigation, and a state- 

 ment of the present position of problems recognised 

 by all as of the highest interest and importance. 



