60 Prof. Owen on Life and Species. 
liwm) or capsules of such (Aspergillus) The hageouine may, 
y further union and confluence, form vibrios. There much 
activity, allied in character to the Brunonian aoeeoe Py 
which, after a time, ceases, and the bacteriums, vibrios, &c., are 
decomposed to constitute the secondary series of molecules i in 
and a which the development of the higher ciliate Infusory 
takes place. The formation of the proligerous pellicle or ‘ see- 
ondary histolytie mass of molecules’} by the primary develop- 
ments and resolutions of the organic were is analogous to 
the formation of the germ-mass, in ovo, by the successive spon- 
taneous fissions, assimilations, and ultimate aaa of the | 
progeny of the original germinal cell. 
o meet the inevitable question of ‘ Whence the first organic 
matter’ ? the Nomogenist is reduced to enumerate the existing 
elements into which the simplest living jelly (Protogenes of 
Heeckel) or sarcode (Ameba) is resolvable, and to contrast the 
degree of probability of such elements combining, under un- 
known conditions, as the first step in the resolution of other 
forces into vital force, with the degree of probability re maining, — 
after the observations above recorded, of the interposition of a 
to find time to complete, the expression of belief on one or two 
points where proof is wanting may be condoned. The cha 
of its being a help, or encouragement to any younger, more 
vigorous mind, bent upon grappling with such problems, out 
weighs any anticipation of trouble consequent upon the avow 
It seems to me, then, more consistent with the present phase 
of dynamical science and the observed gradations of livi 
anes, to suppose that sarcode or the ‘ protogenal’ jelly-spec 
should be formable through concurrence of conditions favori 
such combination of their elements and involving a change 
productive of their contractions and extensions, molecu- 
Soe oes the latter alternative, teach that, is : 
* coxvm’”, p. 470, in all organi se ee ae 
¢ co cooxEx” p. 10, ae sass 
