CLASS CRYPTOGAMIA. 217 



Stance. In this genus the form varies somewhat ; it is 

 internally solid or rilled up, and of a similar and smooth 

 substance within ; but in some species it becomes 

 wrinkled externally. Nothing, really organic can be 

 of a more simple structure than the subjects of this 

 genus, and particularly the present gigantic species. 

 Yet still, these almost amorphous masses are subject 

 to life and death, experience growth, and give origin, 

 as parents to a renewed progeny. No real affinity 

 then subsists, even here, with the mineral or inanimate 

 kingdom, whose respective particles have no limited 

 tie of existence, and remain unalterable and inert, 

 being alone subject to the laws of chemical relation. 



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