MINUTE ALG^E. 59 



to the vegetable kingdom;* but another portion, 

 termed the true BaciZZarite, and named Navicu- 

 lacea, after the most interesting genus, have a 

 greater resemblance to animal life, much more 

 spontaneous movement, and currents are also fre- 

 quently observed on the sides, as if minute cilia 

 existed ; still Dr. Meyen classes even these with 

 plants, and observes that they are by no means 

 so free and active as the spores of the Algae. 

 Notwithstanding some uncertainty respecting the 

 true nature of this family, it is very interesting, 

 and some species are possessed of great beauty. 



i 



* Mr. Ralfs's able work on British Desmidiese appears to set the subject 

 at rest, as regards this section of the family Bacillaria ; for he parti- 

 cularly mentions that the presence of starch (peculiarly a vegetable pro- 

 duction) may be detected in the atoms composing it, by the application 

 of tincture of iodine, which turns them of a violet or blue colour. 



