58 DROPS OF WATER. 



forming chains, or rounded groups. This im- 

 perfect division is similar to that described in the 

 family Vibrionia, amongst animalcules. These 

 facts caused Ehrenberg to conclude, after patient 

 investigation, that they belong to the animal 

 kingdom. Dr. Meyen, on the contrary, argues 

 for their vegetable nature. The want of actual 

 motion in most of them, is a great point in favour 

 of his opinion ; and, regarding the self-division, 

 he affirms that it is very common in the lowest 

 plants, as well as in some of the organs of the 

 higher kinds. The green corpuscles seen within 

 the DesmidieiB are similar to those found in the 

 cells of the Conferva, though Ehrenberg con- 

 siders them as eggs. This group, therefore, may 

 with great reason be looked upon as belonging 



