'i^m 



EDITORIAL 



TI 1 1{ leTin l)iatiiin cnil^races two (':reek wurds meaniiiL;' "cut 

 thnm^h," and compnses :inc i)t the live orders of the Algae, 

 — of the eonfcrvoid class. 



The Diatom imdti])lies 1)\ spontaneous dixd^ion, and belongs 

 to the higher organisms of ditierentiated ])rotoplasm, possessed 

 of the vital properties of animal as well as of vegetable cells, 

 the so-called "physical basis of life." It is of microscopical 

 minuteness and is foun.d as fossils and in the ocean and fresh 

 water. 



A curious and perhaps amusing subject for discussion 

 among" Ijiologists ha^ ])een the theory advanced, that the Diatom 

 belongs to the animal rather than to the vegetable kingdom, by 

 reason of its hermaphroditic i.;roperty of reproduction or multi- 

 plication, even though in some species, like the J'lciirosigina and 

 the Naz'icula crabo, there seems to be a middle ril) or vertebra. 



To tlie expert microscopist. the study of Diatoms afTords a 

 most absorbing attention. The investigation of their exquisite 

 beautv in form and color, is a never-ending delight, and the rev- 

 elations bv a magnification of even 1500 diameters of the hexag- 

 onal lace work in Plciirosi'^nia a// ;'///(/////;/, of which thousands 

 mav be seen in a drop of water from the ])oint of a pin, inspire 

 amazement in the observer. 



In our Bulletin of January. 1908. Miss Sarah P. Monks 

 presented a very interesting paper upon Diatoms, beautifully 

 illustrated from greatl}' magnified photographs made by our 

 accomplished Treasurer. Mr. Samuel J. Kee.se. and in this issue 

 we include a most interesting article upon the same subject by 

 Dr. F. C. Clark, which we recommend to all who have access to 

 a powerful microscope. 



