546 THE MINUTE AND THE BEAUTIFUL. \June, 



linear power of 150 diameters being sufficient to enable the ob- 

 server to see the singular geometrical forms, and strange sym- 

 metrical marking. Yet others require instruments of the highest 

 power and clearness^ to define the transverse striae on some species 

 of Pleurosigma. 



These wonderful plants (if such they really be) are far from 

 rare or few; indeed, they are the most abundant of nature's 

 " vital birth," for they may be collected in thousands in almost 

 every muddy ditch and stagnant pool, as the application of the 

 miscroscope will plainly verify. Some Desmids and Diatoms 

 are very common, others very rare ; among the common forms 

 I know of none more so than Diatoma vulgare and Navicula 

 (several species of). The Arachnoidiscus is a perfect beauty. 



Among the Desmids, the genus Euastrum and Clasterium will 

 amply repay examination. These, with others, can be easily 

 obtained by putting the hand in amongst the water and slimy 

 mud of any peaty ditch or stagnant pool. 



But to rise a few steps higher, to objects whose place in na- 

 ture is plain, I shall direct the reader's attention to the humble 

 Mosses ; their leaves and capsules, when observed with a power 

 of fifty or sixty diameters, present objects of wonderful elegance 

 and beauty. Just let the reader test by the microscope the fol- 

 lowing : — the capsule and peristome of an Orthotrichum, and the 

 leaves of the following species, — Mnium punctatum, M. ajffine, M. 

 hornum, Hookeria lucens, Sphagnum obtusifolium, Splachnum 

 vasculosum, Fissidens bryoides, and several species of Jungerman- 

 nia, such as /. asplenoides, J. bidentata, etc., — and I am sure he 

 will not be disappointed. The delicate reticulations of the leaves 

 of these Mosses and Jungermanni(2 is truly elegant. 



" Oh, who that hath an eye to see, 

 A heart to feel, a tongue to bless, 

 Can ever uudeUghted be 

 With natxire's perfect loveliness ? " 



The spores and spore-cases of Ferns are well worthy of the 

 naturalist's attention. A moderate power of seventy or eighty 

 diameters will, upon trial, be found to be mostly satisfactory, at 

 least for the spore- cases, the markings on which are highly cu- 

 rious and beautiful. It is really astonishing to observe the same 

 care and exquisite workmanship adopted by our great Creator on 

 these minims of organic life as upon the huge Pachyderm of the 



