MINUTE ALG.E. 57 



botanists, some of them are placed among the 

 minute Algae ; and if colour and general outward 

 appearance alone are considered, connected with 

 the fact, that in most cases they are immoveable, 

 the young student will conclude that the botanist 

 is nearer the truth than those who argue for their 

 animal nature. Still, we must come to no hasty 

 conclusion, for if the learned differ on the subject 

 we must be content to wait for further informa- 

 tion; and it is not unlikely that these minute 

 and puzzling atoms may form the connecting 

 link between the two kingdoms. Ehrenberg 

 describes them as polygastric, the body having 

 variable processes, and being covered by a lorica, 

 or shell ; as undergoing self-division, but most 

 of them being connected together by a thread, 



