12 LIVERPOOL BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
nature. We find that the apparatus with which the 
essential functions are performed by the highest animals 
become gradually simpler and less concentrated, while the 
corresponding living matter is less differentiated for the 
several functions, which latter are gradually diffused more — 
and more through the whole individual till finally all trace 
of apparatus and even visible structure disappears, leaving 
a formless mass of semi-fluid nitrogenous matter, such 
as Ameba, exhibiting the essentially vital functions— 
now reduced to actions—of respiration, movement (auto- 
matic and irritable), assimilation, growth, secretion and 
reproduction. It is unnecessary here to speak of sensation, 
thought and will, as these are not essential to life, seeing 
that they are absent in vegetables. 
From the Ameba we have learned much towards 
discriminating the anatomical seat of vitality, but not yet 
the whole protoplasmic theory of life. For although it 
was perceived that in lowly and imperfectly organised 
beings the essential vital functions could take place; and 
seeing that for the complete differentiation of kinds of 
living matter and the building up of higher organisms, 
more or less rigid structural organs and apparatus are 
necessary, yet vitality might still reside in these organs 
and apparatus as a whole, while the protoplasm, cor- 
responding to the Ameba’s whole mass, acted as the 
embryonal formative element only. This is probably very 
much the opinion of many biologists still, even since the 
erand generalisation of Beale, in 1860, that vitality resides 
in one anatomical element alone in all animated beings, 
not only in the stage of the ovum but all through life. 
It is impossible, and it would be superfluous otherwise, 
here, to go into the historical development for the proofs 
of this doctrine, to which I hereby profess unqualified 
assent, I must refer to Dr, Beale’s works, more especially 
