124 CELL THEORIES. 
observations on the differences in both salivary and 
gastric secreting corpuscles in states of activity and 
rest. How, then, shall we say that in its different 
conditions the material which constitutes tle mass 
of such corpuscles is one and the same chemical 
substance? We shall, indeed, take a very imperfect 
view of the living units to which an unhappy 
chance has given the unfortunate name of cells, 
if we say that because neither cell-wall nor 
nucleus’ is an essential element, therefore life is a 
property of protoplasm. It was recognized by 
observers long ago that the bond of connection 
between the bodies which they described lay not 
in a detail of structure, but in the possession 
of one or more of the vital properties, irritability, 
growth, or reproduction; and the observations of 
later years do not overthrow that conception, but 
afford it additional support. Indeed, there are 
passages in Professor Stricker’s article which show 
an appreciation of this. 
That article is one which affords much food for 
reflection, and is a repertory of important infor- 
mation. But as a history it is defective, even 
greatly so. The author neither does justice to the 
work of Virchow nor of Beale; and Goodsir is a 
name of which he makes no mention. Yet Vir- 
chow inaugurated an era in the history of cell- 
