The Mighty Deep 



lines of face. The same may be said of Fora- 

 minifera and Radiolarian shells. 



Some Diatoms have a singular power of move- 

 ment ; and from this sprang early mistakes, through 

 which they were wrongly classed as animals. 



Many of them grow, like ordinary plants, fixed 

 in one spot. But many others are in continuous 

 and regular motion. Careful study has, however, 

 made it clear that the movements of Diatoms are 

 purely mechanical, purely involuntary, like those 

 of some sensitive land-plants. It is probably due 

 to the working of food, taken into the little organ- 

 ism, and not obedient to any Will on its part. 



It may be that herein lies the great difference 

 between a Diatom and a Foraminifer. The one 

 exists, but has no approach to consciousness ; or, 

 at least, probably no approach to any power of 

 choice. The other, though of the very lowest 

 and feeblest type of Animal-life, may yet be 

 supposed in its infinitesimal measure to have a 

 wish, and to be able to act upon that wish. 

 But here we do not get beyond conjecture. 

 Where Life exists, it may be that in all cases 

 some dim form of consciousness exists also, 

 which may involve some faint power of choice. 



Flint-making, like Chalk-making, is not only an 

 old-world and long-past operation, but a present 



158 



