ON PINAL CAUSE. 273 



mists gave us a most interesting history of the evohition of matter, and 

 Paracelsus gave us certain speculations which are not looked upon with 

 respect by modern scientists, but form a curious parody of some forms of 

 modern thought. 



Mr. G. Wise. — We find in the amoeba that which corresponds to diges- 

 tion, reproduction, and many of the functions of highly organised 

 creatures like ourselves. I have been reading the introductory chapter to 

 Foster's Physiology, and he there very beautifully shows that function pre- 

 cedes organisation, while a great German physiologist says that organs are 

 simply the localisation of functions. I should like to know whether that is 

 true or not ? 



The Chairman. — I Avish some able physiologist were here to answer that 

 question. For my part I think there is a good deal more of organisation in 

 the amceba than the microscope will show. The diiferentiation of protoplasm 

 is not to be measured by our powers of perception. 



Mr. WiSK. — It is said that they are jellies which are purely transparent. 

 Can we in that case discern anything corresponding to organisation 1 



The Chairman. — Tf an apparently perfectly structureless piece of jelly 

 performs functions, is not that a proof of organisation ? * 



The meeting was then adjourned. 



* Professor Lionel Beale, M.B., F.R.S., has kindly added a paper entitled 

 " Notes on Structure and Structureless " (see page 276.) 



XSZ 



