\ 



Op 



llf^^ 



THE BEGINNINGS OF LIFE. 



65 



Mutual 



the shapes of organisms (which are also compounded of 



■ 



attrac^ complex colloidal molecules) are in all probability solely 



\ 



^^^^ Plainly [\ due to the properties of their molecules^ as operated 



nve 



an 



extrac: 



upon by surrounding influences. There is, therefore. 



to organisms 



angemcnt \x\i ^ double approximate similarity of these aggregates 



Iter. 



'terest, moreovt 



i so cicse 



K; 



The shap^; 



first, on account of their molecular 



mobility, and secondly, by reason of the forms which 



they assume on emerging from the state of solution. 



And both these characteristics are probably referrible to 



the molecular complexity of their component units.' 



If we now turn our attention to the solid ago-regates 



y tne mere;: ^hich may emerge from solutions of colloidal matter, 



ch they are co? ^e shall find that they also are extremely variable in 



of the salinr nature, according to the ^conditions' under which they 



are probably k are formed. 



:an only suppffi The starch-grains gradually deposited within the cells 



of certain plants, present a structure which, in many 



Lhe alkaline sohto 1 , , , ., , , . \ . 



and if tliat ott respects, closely resembles the calculi we have just 

 there specified,* been describing. They, too, are produced slowly, and 



■' apparently by a process of deposition within the tissue 



I 



)f gum more ur^ apparently Dy a process ot deposition withm the tissue 

 cr quantity of car - ^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^ frequently coalesce : they exhibit a 



,inc^vithltmt'''!■ ^ -i j , j 



1 consequentlytl=^ 



laminated structure 



I and they polarize in a very 

 uleTill' be defio* characteristic manner. The transition from the calculi 

 lobular • • • ;^' ', previously described to starch-grains is, in fact, most 

 of ^^^ ^?°1^- easy and natural, since Mr. Rainey has ascertained 



that a certain amount of mineral matter, in the form 



,dual pa^ » jjt; by chemical analysis, and therefore, in its globular form it is obviously 

 '^^^^' ' 'J.Ia ^^''' ^^ ^"^Pu^'e carbonate— a compound of this substance and gum or albu- 



thuscont.n^^,,. 



n 



pure;*"*' -« 



substance' 



:,J5 



caJ 



I I 



men; (Loc. cit., pp. 35 and 31.) 



VOL. II. 



F 



