185 
with those which arrange molecule with molecule into a crys- 
talline arrangement. It is but to repeat this a millionfold, and 
a manifest crystal is formed. 
37. Will it be seriously asserted that there is any compari- 
son between crystalline and non-crystalline matter, and the 
contrast which, once established, can never be reversed, be- 
tween living and dead matter. We cannot “ revive” that which 
is, according to modern phraseology, “ devived,” though we can 
dissolve and recrystallize as often as we will. 
Living Matter. 
38. Dr. Beale informs us * that not even the smallest living 
particle seen under the l-50th of an inch, or say less than the 
100,000th part of an inch in diameter, consists of matter in the 
same state in every part; for it consists of, 1st, living matter ; 
2nd, matter formed from this ; and 3rd, pabulum which is 
taken up by the living or germinal matter. The transition 
from one state into the other is sudden and abrupt, so that 
matter cannot be said to half live or half die. The germinal 
or living matter is always transparent, colourless, and as far 
as can be ascertained, perfectly structureless. This formless 
living matter moves forwards and burrows, as it were, into the 
nutrient pabulum, some of which it takes up as it moves on. 
It is not pushed from behind, but it moves forward of its own 
accord. This spontaneous movement is a characteristic of every 
kind of living matter. Living bodies exhibit the most active 
movements in various directions ; a portion which is at one 
moment in the lowest point of the mass will pass in an instant 
to the highest part ; one part will seem to pass through other 
parts, while the whole mass moves, now in one and now in 
another direction, and movements in different parts of the 
mass occur in directions different from that in which the whole 
is moving. Well may the intelligent observer remark, “What 
movements in lifeless matter can be compared to these ? )} 
Life. 
39. I shall preface my necessarily brief observations on this 
subject, by remarking that, as far as we know, Life always pro- 
ceeds from Life. In the opinion of the ancients, animals crept 
forth ready formed from the earth (primis prorep serunt animalia 
* Protoplasm } pp. 33-37. 
o 2 
