189 
between crystallization and life, I now proceed to an examma« 
tion in further detail of the assertion that “just as by chemical 
analysis we learn the composition of calc spar, so by chemical 
analysis we ascertain the composition of living matter.” In 
the first place it is to be observed that all chemical analysis, 
even all ultimate analysis, is not equally satisfactory. If by 
analysis we learn the composition of a body, and by synthesis 
can again form that body out of its elements, then we have a 
result that commends itself to the mind. In other cases it is 
not so ; and the professed ultimate analysis is not worth the 
paper on which it is written. Moliere's woodman, having 
practical acquaintance with his work, exclaims, “ II y a fagots 
et fagots ; ” much more may those who apply themselves 
to the subject matter in hand, admit that chemical analysis 
is greatly at a loss to give anything like a satisfactory 
account of the composition of albumen, for instance ; and, 
further, that it fails altogether in its account of the composi- 
tion of living matter. There is analysis and analysis ! If any 
one has watched, under a good microscope, the motion of the 
different currents in the Ghana or Vallisneria , or still more the 
beautiful phenomena of the circulation of the blood, he will 
be little disposed to value the gross and imperfect results of 
the best analysis the chemist can give of these same circulating 
fluids; in which analysis many things must be confounded, and 
(as in protoplasm and Bathybius) misdescribed under one 
common name.* 
53. I have myself found much silica, and that probably in 
a soluble state, in an analysis of the cambiumf (which is the 
protoplasm) of an English tree, but I know not how to sepa- 
rate the formed from the unformed portion, and can therefore 
not certainly' sav to which of the two it belongs. I can 
only suppose that it was a very likely material for building the 
excessively delicate cell-structure. 
54. I refer to M. Trecul,J for a beautiful illustration of re- 
newed growth upon a decorticated stem of Nyssa A-ngulisans, 
showing how the renewed bark arises from the cambium. 
55. Even the Abyssinian, who cut from the living animal his 
steak of protoplasm , knew how different its properties were from 
the same steak when cooked ; and the philosopher, when sup- 
plied with eggs unboiled for breakfast, would not find his 
equanimity increased by the information that the difference 
between boiled and unboiled was in no way material , because 
it could not be detected by analysis. 
* See Appendix (B). t See Appendix ('0). 
X Annales des Sciences Nat. JBot., t. xvii. pi. 17. 
