110 JOURNAL OF THE [April, 



algals, which it has caught hold of and forced into its service.' 

 Mr. Crombie gives a series of observations which, he believes, 

 subvert this hypothesis ; for they show that the lichen-hyphge 

 differ essentially from fungal mycelia both in character and in 

 conduct, and that the lichen-gonidia are equally dissimilar to 

 true algals. He thinks the doctrine of the autonomy, or in- 

 dividuality, of the lichen, fully established. 



The Microscope in the School-Room. — No person who has 

 not made the trial, can form an adequate conception of the 

 mental quickening occasioned by an exhibition of selected 

 microscopic objects to classes in the school-room. The scales 

 on the butterfly's wing, the hexagonal facets of the compound 

 insect-eye, the transformation, as it were, of seemingly shapeless 

 grains of sand into stru- tures of exquisite beauty, the cyclosis 

 of protoplasm in plant-cells, and the movement of blood- 

 corpuscles in the foot of the frog, — reaching the mind through 

 the eye, make and leave an impression, give an understanding, 

 which books and diagrams are powerless to produce. The 

 microscope, frequently and intelligently used, makes nature 

 pellucid. There ought to be an excellent one under skilful 

 manipulation in every school. 



Septic Organisms. — Commenting on the phenomena of self- 

 multiplication exhibited in the life-history of these organisms, 

 Dr. Dallinger says (Journ. Roy. Micr. Soc, Apr., 1885, p. 194) : 



" The mystery of all this simplicity of vital movement is deep ; 

 and although we can observe and in accurate manner record the 

 process, its modus operandi is far beyond our present grasp. 



"One thing is certain, — on this rapid power of self-multiplica- 

 tion depends the entire utility of these organisms, and in this 

 function of self-division it would appear that they have reached 

 the highest point of vital development. Lowly they are — we 

 know of nothing living that is lowlier — but in the processes of 

 vital evolution, amongst the lowly and simple as amongst the 

 highly organized and most complex, we find the perfection of 

 concurrent adaptation. 



" One other feature in these minute organisms claims a note. 

 They are subject to no caprice ; after twelve years of close ob- 

 servation I am convinced that the vital processes are as orderly 

 rigid and immutable as in the most complex organisms. Their 



