of Edinburgh, Session 1880-81. 33 
There are, of course, many other phenomena exhibited by these 
cells, which I do not attempt to explain. For instance, there are 
stream movements seen in the cell, and even in the pseudopodia 
themselves. These are probably purely molecular, and may be the 
result of heat ; for many curious movements and currents are to be 
observed in heating liquids, and especially a mixture of dissimilar 
ones. 
If oil suspended in water, or acetic acid on a glass slide, be 
heated, as certain temperatures are reached flowing movements of 
a very curious nature are to be observed not unlike the streaming 
of protoplasm. This explanation has received a wider extension by 
Professor Eindfleisch (“ Centralblatt/' Oct. 23, 1880), who would 
account for much more upon this one factor. 
That the above views are merely speculative, and views which 
may have eventually to be withdrawn, I need hardly say. It is 
natural and right to ask, when a new anatomical structure is dis- 
covered, What are its functions 1 
The paper of Professor Eindfleisch was not in my possession when 
I introduced this subject to the Society. I have taken, however, 
the liberty of mentioning its main contents. 
Monday, 3 d January 1880. 
Professor DOUGLAS MACLAGAN, M.D., Vice-President, 
in the Chair. 
The following Communications were read : — 
1. On the Effect of Permanent Elongation on the Specific 
Eesistance of Wires. By Mr T. Gray. Communicated 
by Sir William Thomson. 
2. Meconic Acid. By Mr D. B. Dott. Communicated by 
Professor Crum Brown. 
Although meconic acid is constantly taken, even in the most 
recent handbooks of chemistry, as an instance of a tribasic acid, it is 
VOL. xi. 
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