1879] A Speculation on Protoplasm. 421 
This wonderful substance which composes the simple cell of 
plant and animal, is capable of a distinct and individual life, and ` 
its methods of growth and multiplication (or rather division) have 
been beautifully demonstrated by many eminent naturalists. 
nd wherever the phases of this chameleon -may be. observed, 
each is the easily recognizable child of all it has passed, and the 
common parent of all beyond and above it, howsoever diver- 
gent may be the path. But it is the vulgar error to misunder- 
stand this analogy (as in the relations of man.and monkey, etc.) 
when criticizing the doctrine of evolution. For only on the 
trunk do all divergent forms unite. No dough is parent to 
another, but they are brothers of the same parent stem. 
This ultimate organic matter, or common building material, if 
not identical in chemical composition, is at least always compose 
in the main of the same few elements. 
Robin’s composition of the amniotic fluid of a fecundated 
ovum! contains: 
Per thousand. 
I. Water. SC Rue a cabs weS CEES CEs SSS 991.00 to 975.00 
2. Albumen and mucosine. - 0.82 to 10.77 
3. Urea baked < He os oa we RES oo, B00 te 9.58 
4. Creatine and creatinine .not estimated. 
- 5. Sodium lactate trace 
6. Fatty matters , 0.13 to 1.25 
7. Glucose. ., ee not estimated. 
8. Potassium and sodium chlorides Serie A Be Oe OS 
9. Calcium chloride trace 
10. Sodium carbonate trace 
PELs SOG SUIPUALE s cue ressesie ndotet cs se hebene sh NEN trace 
12. Potassium sulphate.. ve «trace. 
13. Calcium and magnesium cede eee: 
14. Phosphates and sulphates 1.14 to 1.72 
«s+ 997-49 to 998.18 
Sum : 
Leaving undetermined, and to be divided between creatine, crea- 
~- tinine, sodium lactate, glucose, chlorides, sulphates, etc., and 
loss a aSo LR 
This analysis does not, it is true, represent protoplasm from the 
simplest structures, but that which is used in organic edifices of a 
relatively high state of complexity; nevertheless the table is 
valuable as showing that despite the very heterogeneous nature 
` l See Flint’s Text-book of Physiology, p. 903. 
