THE PAGE OF NATURE. 183 



hundred diameters, and the aid of oblique light. Some 

 species consist of chains of parallelograms (Fig. 24), con- 

 nected together at one single point, more beautiful in 



Fio. 24. DIATOMA BIDDULPHIANA magnified. 



appearance, and more richly and elaborately carved than 

 the costliest bracelet on the arm of a queen. Some re- 

 semble miniature flags or 

 fans, adorned with the most 

 exquisite figures; some grace- 

 ful boats, frosted and granu- 

 lated, in which a tiny anim- 

 cule might float over a dew- 

 drop ; and some little trees 

 (Fig. 25), covered with va- 

 riegated leaves, arranged in 

 fan-like clusters, as though 

 intended for microscopic 

 models of a grove of fan- 

 palms. In short, they form 

 circles, triangles, squares, 



F.G.25.-EXILAEIAFLABEI.LATA. ^ ^^ W&J ^fl Q f 



mathematical figure (Fig. 26), to the utter subversion of 

 all the ideas of vegetable forms which we are accustomed 

 to entertain. They are generally colourless ; but some 

 species are of a deep green, or rich brown, or a pale 



