8. The Protoplasmic Theory of Life
MATERIALISM. :Author: John Drysdale, M.D. Edin., L.R.M.S. Bailliere, Tindal, & Cox, London.
The subject of this work, as the author states, was the theme of an inaugural address delivered by him in the year 1874, as President of the Microscopical Society of Liverpool. In it he endeavours to prove that the modern views concerning the nature of life were antici- pated by the late Dr John Fletcher, of Edinburgh, in 1835, in his work entitled Rudiments of Physiology. We think, however, that his claim to be the discoverer of the Protoplasmic Theory is as strong as that of Chaucer to be the founder of the Crystal Palace, because he wrote a vision of a vast structure of glass.
The work is useful, as containing a resume of all the modern theories of life. One-third of the volume is devoted to the discussion of Dr Lionel Beale’s interesting microscopical researches, of which the author speaks in the highest terms.
We regret to find that his proclivities are towards Materialism ; but, by a strange inconsistency, not uncommon in the present day, he ex- presses an unhesitating belief in the truth of Revelation.
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