PLAN AND PURPOSE IN NATURE. 221 



structureless, transparent living matter containing much water, 

 and the machines ? 



The organs and structui-es of living things cannot be produced 

 without vitality, for they are all the j^roducts of the changes in 

 living matter or Bioplasm. 



Do not man's capacity and power of making machines and 

 every kind of apparatus depend on his vitality ? The same 

 remarks apply to the production of heat and also of light. 

 When shall we find out how to obtain light or electricity from 

 pi"oteids, fat, salts, and much water ? We do not know, to this 

 day, how it is that the light is produced in the glow-worm or in 

 fire-flies. All we can find out is a certain arrangement of 

 anatomical elements, a certain structure ; but it is not the 

 structure that produces electricity and light. When the living- 

 stuff, the Bioplasm, dies, the jDhenomena cease. This Bioplasm is 

 concerned in the production of light as well as in the formation of 

 all structure. What you Mil is not the structure any more than 

 when a man or animal is hilled, his nerves, bones, muscles, and 

 other tissues are destroyed. All these have been formed by the 

 Bioplasm, and they contrast remarkably in characters and pro- 

 perties with the actual living matter. But living matter is neces- 

 sary to their action, to their maintenance in a normal state, to 

 their repair in case of injury. 



If the living matter is destroyed then everything stops. When 

 we talk of the physical action of the muscles and the physical 

 action of the nerves, what do we mean ? We refer to certain 

 phenomena which we know take jjlace, but which are never- 

 theless absolutely dependent on the living matter connected with 

 those textures. So that we must know what is taking place in 

 the living matter, and what it has to do with the physical and 

 chemical changes which succeed, before we can hope to give a 

 reasonable explanation of the phenomena. It is the vital action 

 which determines all physical and chemical changes in matter 

 that lives — and it is this which gives rise to the anatomical 

 characters and properties of the several tissues. 



But really I must apologise, Mr. Chairman, I shall tire all 

 present if I trouble you longer. Allow me then to conclude by 

 again thanking our friend Dr. Walter Kidd for the extremely 

 lucid manner in which he has treated one of the most difficult and 

 extensive subjects that can be considered by the mind, and I trust 

 the example he has set will be soon followed by other members 

 of our profession. (Applause.) 



E 



