356 
POPULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
anatomical science. As the result of his numerous inquiries into the- 
structural characters of the tissues, he was led some time ago to pubhsh 
a peculiar view concerning the mode of development of animal structures. 
We believe this view, or rather an expression of it in the form of an 
hypothesis, was put forward first in the lectures delivered at the College of 
Physicians. These lectures were subsequently reprinted, but in a purely 
scientific form ; and hence they appealed only to the members of the pro- 
fession. The present volume, though of more moderate pretensions than the 
former one, and evidently intended for readers not immediately connected 
with medicine, still displays the author’s ideas in very clear terms. 
. The simplest of the human tissues consist essentially of two distinct 
elements — a clear structureless matrix, and numerous imbedded granular 
particles. The most important question in development refers to the 
origin of these two elements. Some histologists, at the head of whom 
stands Professor Huxley, regard the matrix as the organizing material, and 
look upon the granular particles as passive. Others, and especially the 
author of the volume under review, consider that the granular particles, 
which they term nuclei, as the active agents in the production of tissues. 
The theory, as expressed by Dr. Beale, regards the two constituents as 
being respectively formative and developed material. Hence, according to 
this doctrine, the granular matter is termed germinal, and the matrix is 
called formed. In so far as Dr. Beale demonstrates the non-existence of 
cells, properly so called, our opinions are quite in unison with his ; but when 
he contends that the nucleus is the developing centre, we are not prepared to 
side with him. The chief arguments which he advances in support of his 
conclusions may, we think, be ranged as follows ; — 
(1.) Carmine solution tints the granular or nucleus portion more readily 
than the older portions of the other element. 
(2.) As a tissue gTows, the interspaces which exist between the nuclei 
increase in width. 
These appear to be the more important facts tending to bear out the theory, 
and really we think they may be explained upon other hypotheses. For 
example, since the inquiries of Mr. Abbey have shown that the nucleus itself 
is not the only portion coloured by the action of carmine, but that this 
dye tints the adjacent structures in a characteristic manner, there appears 
some reason to doubt the force of the carmine-action view. The fact that the 
interspaces become increased does not seem to us to militate against the 
deposition theory. If we consider the nuclei as indicating portions of these 
minute chaimels which we know to pervade all tissues, we can then imder- 
stand how the protoplasmic fluid perpetually flowing through them may, by 
constantly sending out material or pabulum, increase the actual bulk of the 
structureless internuclear substance. Yet this would not involve any special 
activity upon the part of the nuclei themselves. May not the nuclei be 
looked upon as the accumulation of larger molecules, which have separated 
from the protoplasmic liquid in which they were originally suspended ? It 
may be urged that this is a pure speculation ; but, after all, has it not some- 
thiug to support it in the absence of any absolute proof of the active operation 
of the nucleus ? It cannot be denied that Dr. Beale has carried on his 
investigations with the aid of infinitely higher powers than those of other 
