124 REPORT—1862. 
velope. But suppose this envelope be ruptured, or softened, so that nutrient 
matter obtains more ready access to the living matter within, what happens? 
The germinal or living matter rapidly increases, and may even grow at the expense 
of the softened envelope itself. Masses of living matter are formed in great 
number, divide and subdivide, and perhaps multiply enormously, forming a soft 
mass, which may continue to increase for a time, but is incapable of lasting. 
The conditions favourable for the regular conversion of the outer particles of each 
mass into formed material are not present, and the whole mass may die and 
undergo disintegration and removal. Very many changes occurring in tissues in 
disease may be explained by these views. The power of living matter to grow 
infinitely is restricted by the conditions under which it is placed. Normally, 
growth may be slow; but if the restrictions be to some extent removed, then an 
abnormal freedom of growth may directly occur, This is exactly what happens 
in the process of inflammation. The germinal matter of the normal cells is more 
freely supplied with nutrient matter, and this often depends upon actual rupture 
of the envelope of formed material. These views, it will be observed, explain the 
phenomena of nutrition, growth, secretion, &c., without supposing any peculiar 
attractive power in the cell-wall, or any mysterious agency in its structure or in 
the nucleus; indeed, the existence of the cell, as it is generally defined, is dis- 
pensed with altogether, The author’s “ cell” is a mass of living matter surrounded 
by matter which had ceased to live, and which, like other inanimate matter, may 
be changed by physical and chemical agents. He reduces “ the action of the cell” 
to the motion of living particles from centres where they become living, their 
passing through definite stages of existence, and their being ultimately resolved 
into substances exhibiting special properties, but lifeless. ‘So he would explain the 
phenomena of inflammation, without resorting to the hypothesis of irritation, ex- 
ageerated action from external stimulation, &c. 
According to the author's view, the most wonderful changes occur at the moment 
when the pabulum reaches the living centre, where its Pasa become com- 
pletely changed, and where it commences its new course of existence. To account 
for the new powers which the particles have acquired, the author is compelled to 
assume the existence of a special force or power which can only be derived from 
particles which already arene this power. He assumes that this power er ans 
the elements of the pabulum to take up new and forced relations to each other, 
while, as they gradually cease to be under its influence, the elements resume their 
ordinary attractions, and special compounds are formed—the nature of the com- 
pound depending, therefore, upon the relations which the elements were constrained 
to take up during the liying state. Hence he maintains that vital power exists in 
the particles of living or germinal matter, while the formed matter around this is 
destitute of vital power, and is only influenced by physical and chemical forces ; 
and he thinks that while matter is in the state of living or germinal matter, it isin 
a temporary condition which is distinct and peculiar, and cannot be compared with 
any other state in which matter is known to exist. It is very remarkable that 
matter in this temporary condition exhibits the same appearance in all living beings, 
and possesses constantly an acid reaction. When set free, a mass always assumes 
a spherical form, and the smallest particles to be seen are still spherical. No one 
could distinguish by microscopical examination the “germinal matter” of one 
tissue from that of another, nor the germinal matter of one of the lowest, simplest 
organisms from that of man, And yet, although the germinal matter of all struc- 
tures appears to be the same, it diflers most wonderfully in power as seen in the 
results of its life. The formed material, on the other hand, exhibits, as we all 
know, differences of structure easily demonstrated, and differences of property 
familiar to every one; these differences being due to vital powers existing in the 
matter when in its previous state of germinal matter, 
Some additional Observations on the Coloured Fluid or Blood of the Common 
Earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris). By Joun Davy, M.D., /B.S., Sc. 
In this paper, supplementary to a former one on the same subject, the author, by 
yaried experiments, some made iz vacuo, some made in different gases, has en- 
