BERKELEY, ON CRYPTOGAMIC BOTANY. 177 
objects which come within the view of the Cryptogamist. If variety and 
delicacy of structure, beauty of form and colour, and the nicest transitions 
from group to group, from genus to genus, besides a host of curious ques- 
tions of {physiology and adaptation of means to particular ends, are worthy 
to engage attention, Cryptogams most surely will not be amongst the 
most unprofitable objects of study. There will be scope, too, for the acutest 
powers of thought and observation, unless he is content merely to skim the 
surface of things. Even independently of the necessity of using optical 
instruments, a point often much exaggerated, for if the minutest points of 
physiology in Phenogams are deeply studied, no less an amplifying power is 
necessary, and perhaps even greater tact and skill in manipulation, the dif- 
ficulties which arise from the wide limits within which not merely species 
but aceredited genera are capable of varying, are sufficient to exercise the 
highest mental qualifications. It does not follow, however, that the end 
obtained should be at all proportional to the necessary labour. The objects 
which the accomplished Cryptogamist has in view are not comprised within 
the mere determination of species or the admiration of the exquisite forms 
and combinations which meet him at every turn. If he aims at nothing 
higher than the first, he may indeed be useful in his generation, provided he 
be cautious enough, and possessed of sufficient self-denial to prevent his 
striving to glorify himself, rather than to clear the road for investigators of 
higher pretensions. If beauty of form and singularity of structure be alone 
his object, his time may be passed agreeably enough, but in most cases, like 
ten thousand microscopists of the present day, he will be but a mere trifler, 
without any better aim than innocent amusement; or if he be a dabbler in 
science, with some wish to attain a reputation which he has not the patience 
to seek after by a continued course of study and mental discipline, he will 
be deriving general inferences from isolated half-understood facts to the 
detriment and confusion of real science. Perhaps, of all literary dissipation, 
the desultory observations of the mere microscopist are the most delusive. 
And even where the objects are higher, it is well that every one whose 
attention is much directed to this greatly abused instrument, should remember 
that if he wishes to penetrate the secrets of nature he must look beyond his 
microscope, a fact of which some microscopists of considerable reputation do 
not seem at all aware. The paramount importance of the subject is to be 
seen in far different matters. 
“The first great point is that the physiologist is able, in the simpler 
Cryptogams, to study the several organs of which the higher vegetables are 
composed, isolated and altogether removed from other structures which may 
impede the view, or by their rupture cause confusion. If, for instance, it is 
desired to ascertain the mode of growth in cells, he will be able to appeal to 
the simpler Alge, whether grumous or filamentous. In the one he will be 
able to trace step by step the division of the primitive mother-cell, with 
nothing to prevent his view in consequence of the great transparency of the 
walls; or if he take one of the simple or branched Conferve, he will be able 
to assist at the origination not merely of two new cells from the subdivision 
of one, but the formation of a new cell by pullulation from the walls. 
Meanwhile he can ascertain exactly what changes the endochrome is under- 
going, he can watch the part which the cytoblast bears in the process, and 
can sometimes trace its partition. He can investigate in many cases, as in 
Zygnema and its allies, or much more in Chara and Nitella, the currents 
which traverse the length and breadth of the cells; he can trace thickening 
of the walls by the deposit of new coats, and in some cases the shelling off 
of those which are effete and have performed their office. He can observe, 
moreover, the wonderful union of separate filaments, the formation of a vital 
spore from the union of the contents of neighbouring cells, and many other 
