Dr. BealEj on the Germinal Matter of the Blood. 49 
outgrowths occur. At different parts of the circumference a 
portion of the mass moves ^way from the rest. At first it 
remains connected by a pedicle^ and may be drawn back 
again; but oftentimes separation proceeds, the pedicle 
becomes drawn out finer and finer ; at last, this thin thread 
which connects the two portions gives way at some point, 
and two masses result. Thus, from one, two separate bodies, 
which becomes spherical, are formed. These do not fuse 
together again, but, if nutrient material is present, each grows, 
and the process above described is repeated. One mass may 
divide into two only, or it may give origin to a great number 
of separate masses at different parts of its circumference. 
Of the " living/' moving j basis substance. 
The moving power above referred to evidently resides in the 
so-called basis substance of the corpuscle, and the move- 
ments originating in this transparent semifluid^matter are com- 
municated to any insoluble particles which may be embedded 
in it (figs. 3, 4) . But this " basis substance is not a simple 
fluid, it consists of very minute, colourless particles, free to 
move upon each other ; and I believe that motor power resides 
in these particles, and that this inherent power of movement 
is one of the peculiar and constant attributes of living matter. 
In the cells of Valisneria the current which passes round the 
circumference of the cell appears to consist of colourless 
fluid, but if examined by the ii\th. the apparently clear fluid 
is seen to be made up of a vast multitude of minute, colour- 
less particles. In other vegetable cells, especially in Trades- 
cantia, the same phenomena may be observed. The trans- 
parent matter of the mucus-corpuscle and young epithelial 
cells, which looks like clear fluid, really possesses a similar 
constitution, and consists of very minute, transparent, sphe- 
rical particles of living matter, which possess inherent power 
of movement. 
I ought to state that, in all these movements, the so- 
called nucleus plays no active part. The protrusions affect 
the germinal matter outside the nucleus, and in the detached 
masses of germinal matter new nuclei may arise. The so- 
called nuclei are new centres, appearing, arising, or origi- 
nating in pre-existing living matter. Certain conditions 
might destroy the vitality of the outer part of the germinal 
matter, while the new centres or nuclei remained intact. At 
any future time, this portion of the germinal matter yet re- 
