28 
LE CONTE. 
Let me present the argument as it seemed to these chemical 
philosophers. Every substance has its own definite composi¬ 
tion, and indissolubly connected with this its own invariable 
properties. Now, some of the properties thus indissolubly 
connected with composition are very remarkable and even 
mysterious. For example: Iron united with oxygen in cer¬ 
tain definite proportion s forms an oxide—magnetic oxide. 
Now, associated with this definite composition are the strange 
properties of attracting iron, of determining electric currents, 
and of pointing to the north pole. Is not this almost as won¬ 
derful as life itself? Now, protoplasm is a substance doubt¬ 
less of definite composition, consisting of C. H. N. 0., with a 
little S. and P., all in definite proportions, and connected 
with this composition is the wonderful property of motion 
responsive to impressions; in other words, of life. If, there¬ 
fore, we could only make protoplasm we would thereby make 
a living thing. It is true we have yet conquered but a very 
small part even of the territory of the derivatives and are, 
therefore, very far from the conquest of original life-products, 
especially of that most complex and unstable product, pro¬ 
toplasm, in which alone life seems to inhere. But we have 
broken down the barrier, the rest is only a question of time 
and patient research. It is true the difficulty becomes 
greater and greater as we rise ; but science is also becoming 
more and more powerful in her methods. To illustrate: 
The scale of chemical substances maybe likened to a Jacob’s 
ladder. Its base rests on the earthly plane of simple ele¬ 
ments, its top reaches to the heavenly plane of living organ¬ 
isms. Chemists are the angels who ascend and descend this 
ladder by synthesis and analysis. It is true they are yet 
very far from reaching the top, but they are on the ladder. 
It is true the rounds grow farther and farther apart as we 
ascend, but our chemical legs are growing longer, too. Shall 
we not finally reach the highest round and get on the plat¬ 
form of life above ? Shall we not eventually make life-prod¬ 
ucts : starch, dextrine, cellulose, and even the highest, in which 
life itself inheres—protoplasm ? If we make protoplasm 
