424 A Speculation on Protoplasm. ~ “[July, 
taneously, but with different degrees of force in different direc- 
tions, then if those similar molecules were distributed evenly in 
any menstruum, there would necessarily result such a grouping of 
them as to form definite geometrical figures, whether these forces 
were those of attraction or repulsion or both together. It is pos- 
sible, but not proven, that the different atomicities or atom-satura- 
ting powers of different elements may be due to different numbers 
and positions of these magneto-polar axes. From the grossest to 
the smallest manifestation of growth force; from the long neck of 
the giraffe to the segmentation of the ovum, there is observable but 
the interaction of polar forces, producing results, however, which 
are most dissimilar. In such large masses as we can see, these 
are modified by each other, in great measure, so as to produce 
curves instead of straight lines, as the pendulum does when 
struck sideways during its plane oscillation; but.a multiplicity 
of polar forces thus interacting will account for all the phenomena. 
There is no ground for supposing that these forces so patent in 
masses large enough for us to observe, cease to act upon matter 
even when in the state of finest comminution. And if they do, the 
result of a concourse of molecules, whether of organic or of 
inorganic origin, under the direction of polar forces must produce 
geometrical form. 
The only means of testing whether this is the case in these 
organic cells (since the bodies, if they do exist, must be too small 
to be capable of being seen under the most powerful microscope) 
is by, the employment of a more delicate test than the recogni- 
tion of form, and such a test is the modification of color by 
transmission through thin films of them. The waves of light in 
passing between the constituent atoms of a body, experience a 
retardation proportionate to the density of the medium; which 
is only saying proportionate to the mean distance of the atoms 
apart, which again is governed by the amount of the attractive 
force exerted in a given direction. Bodies in which the density 
is equal in all directions retard the passage of light equally in all 
directions, whereas if the density be different’ in different direc- 
tions the retardation will be different also and a new phenomenon 
will result. . 
It is known that nearly all organic structures have the prop- 
erty of polarizing light, and hence are built up by the interaction 
of polar forces of different ne and if the first oe 
