Half Hours With Modern Scientists: Lectures and EssaysTyndall, John
Philosophy
Half Hours With Modern Scientists: Lectures and Essays
Tyndall, John
Science
differ chemically, some being found to contain glycogen, some
cholesterine, some protogon, and some myosin. Now such substances, let
the chemical analogy be what it may, must still be allowed to introduce
chemical difference. In the last place, Mr. Huxley’s analysis is an
analysis of _dead_ protoplasm, and indecisive, consequently, for that
which lives. Mr. Huxley betrays sensitiveness in advance to this
objection; for he seeks to rise above the sensitiveness and the
objection at once by styling the latter “frivolous.” Nevertheless the
Germans say pointedly that it is unknown whether the same elements are
to be referred to the cells after as before death. Kühne does not
consider it proved that living muscle contains syntonin; yet Mr. Huxley
tells us, in his Physiology, that “syntonin is the chief constituent of
muscle and flesh.” In general, we may say, according to Stricker, that
all weight is put now on the examination of living tissue, and that the
difference is fully allowed between that and dead tissue.
On the second clause now, or with regard to the action of reagents,
these must be denied to produce the like result on the various forms of
protoplasm. With reference to temperature, for example, Kühne reports
the movements of the amoeba to be arrested in iced water; while, in the
same medium, the ova of the trout furrow famously, but perish even in a
warmed room. Others, again, we are told, may be actually dried, and yet
live. Of ova in general, in this connection, it is said that they live
or die according as the temperature to which they are exposed differs
little or much from that which is natural to the organisms producing
them. In some, according to Max Schultze, even distilled water is enough
to arrest movement. Now, not to dwell longer here, both amoeba and ova
are to Mr. Huxley pure protoplasm; and such difference of result,
according to difference of temperature, etc., must assuredly be allowed
to point to a difference of original nature. Any conclusion so far,
then, in regard to unity of substance, whether the chemical composition
or the action of reagents be considered, cannot be said to bear out the
views of Mr. Huxley.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account