BatraclwsjpermemP}^ vauchehia. 349 



doubt that he is correct in his statement as to the motion 

 and subsequent germination of the green globules; but 

 motion such as this, however wonderful, does not prove 

 that they had animal life. He found that the motion of the 

 spores was effected by their surface being covered with 

 vibratile ciliary organs; but the difficulty still remains — 

 "What moves these cilia ? Cilia are not peculiar to living 

 creatures. Yerily there are mysteries in nature which 

 philosophy cannot explain; — depths in the organism of a 

 common plant which human intellect cannot fathom ! 



1. Yaucheria dichotoma, Agardli. 



Hab. Ditches and pools. 



The frond of this is dichotomous, as the specific name 

 implies ; it is branched, about a foot in length ; often filling 

 pools with a close matted stratum. The vesicles are soli- 

 tary globules, and sessile ; the colour is green, lighter or 

 darker. 



There are a considerable number of Vauchena which I 

 must pass over. I found one lately in circumstances which 

 seemed uncommon, and I have not yet been able to ascer- 

 tain which one it is. It was growing in full fruit in No- 

 vember on the steep inside wall of a lime-kiln, uncovered 

 above, along with Fimaria hygrometrica. It was of a very 



