rotoplasm. On warming the preparation to
about 22 deg. C. manifest though feeble movements appeared in the network.
It can hardly be doubted, that of these two substances the granular
reticulated one--the protoplasm--is the more important; and it should
not be erroneous to suppose that the granulations of the network form
the =centre of the particular (specific) cell function=. In any case, it
is desirable to give a special name, such as microsomes (Hanstein) to
these forms, which in the liver cells are recognisable as distinct,
round or oval granules, colouring yellow with iodine, and easily and
deeply staining in other ways."

It was necessary to quote in full from this older paper, to shew that
Ehrlich regarded the granules as the special carriers of the cell
function so long ago as 1883, a view that Altmann advocated many years
later, under the name "theory of bioblasts." Altmann's ever repeated
assertion that no one before him had allotted so high an importance to
the granules is consequently in disagreement with the facts we have
above made sufficiently clear.

The importance Altmann ultimately gave to the granules, which he also
calls by the name "=Ozonophores=" is shewn by his own words (_Elementary
Organisms_, 1st edit., p. 39):

"Our conception of the ozonophores may therefore replace that of the
living protoplasm, at least so far as vegetative function is concerned;
and may serve us as an explanation of complicated organic processes.
Once again, shortly summarising the properties of the ozonophores; as
oxygen carriers they can perform reduction and oxydation, and can thus
effect the decompositions and syntheses of the body, without losing
their own individuality."

In the meantime Ehrlich had made various observations which could not be
completely brought into line with his own earlier hypothesis or the
far-reaching conclusions of Altmann. Studies in particular on the oxygen
requirements of the organism, shewed that the "ozonophores" could
certainly not be an important part of the cell. In addition it was found
that normally cells occur in which no granules can be recognised by
ordinary methods. Finally a pathological observation made untenable the
view that the granules are the bearers of the cell function. In a case
of pernicious anaemia (cp. _Farbenanalytische untersuchungen_) Ehrlich
found the polynuclear cells of the blood and bone-marrow and their early
forms free from all neutrophil granulation. On