144 Organic Physics. [Febru 
oxidation yields an energy which manifests itself as mass motion, 
In the Rhizopod the whole celi is at once nerve and muscle, 
the Ciliata these functions are confined to a differentiated portion 
of the cell. In the Hydra cells appear with nervous functions © 
exteriorly and muscular interiorly. In the higher animals these 
functions are distributed to separate cells. But there is no evi 3 
dence that the mode of motion in protoplasm anywhere differs | 
In all cases alike external impact causes internal vibration, rapid | 
oxidation and quick change of form. The results of yese | 
changes depend on special conditions, combinations and att 
ments of cell masses. There is perhaps nothing peculiar in the 
muscle cell except its elongated shape. Variation from this sha 
towards a spherical one must considerably reduce the length 
the mass, and produce the effect known as muscular contrac 
The true inorganic parallel to nerve conduction may not be r 
telegraph wire, as ordinarily assumed. It may have a clost f 
analogy to a train of gunpowder, arranged in successive SMi 
masses, and so disposed that the explosion of each shall set 2 
to the next in the line. If we imagine at the end of the traint | 
larger mass of confined gunpowder, its explosion would syt 
ize the action of the muscle. Contact with the nerve extre 
yields a vibratory impulse, which is confined to the narrow 
minute masses of protoplasm, inducing oxidation and ay 
of fresh energy.: Such would seem to be the case from thet 
served invigoration of the nerve current in its flow. When 
vibratory energy is discharged into the muscle it causes 
cess of induction. But this belief is now abandoned | 
„anatomists, and it is held that the nerves penetrate the: 
Jemma of the muscle fibers, while the nerve sheath beco” 
