50 DROPS OF WATER. 



It will be easily imagined, therefore, from 

 this marvellous account, how difficult it must 

 have been to classify and arrange these little 

 atoms, and, consequently, naturalists have differed 

 greatly on the subject. The microscopist will 

 be greatly struck with many minute green ob- 

 jects, of exquisite form, which will be seen lying 

 quietly at the bottom of the water, having no 

 movement, but greatly resembling a seed, or pod. 

 These have been, and still are by some naturalists, 

 supposed to be of an animal nature, from the 

 movement of the granules contained in their sub- 

 stance, but by late writers they are considered 

 vegetables. They will, however, be inserted here, 

 not only from the interest they excite, but from 

 their frequent occurrence in water in which ani- 



