74 LEMANE^l. 



" From a cartilaginous disc, strongly applied to foreign 

 bodies, proceed a great number of close filaments, elastic, of 

 a brownish green colour, and a little curved at the base ; 

 but they become more pale and straight in the remainder of 

 their length. These filaments are ordinarily from four to 

 seven inches in length. Some are entirely simple, the others 

 throw out here and there branches, or divide towards the 

 middle of their length. 



" The internodes are oblong, from a line to a line and a 

 half, cylindrical, and inflated at their points of contact. Their 

 divisions are often but little apparent, and disappear towards 

 the base of the filaments, which appear continuous, cylin- 

 drical, and equal in diameter to a strong horse-hair. 



" The surface of the filaments in old age is encrusted in 

 such a manner as not to become recognisable either by its 

 colour which changes, or by the destruction of the internodes, 

 which become confused and disappear." Bory. 



66 I have seen this species growing near the mouth of the 

 Don, very luxuriantly, where it must have been exposed to 

 the action of salt or very brackish water." Dr. Dickie 

 in lit. 



" Let us then consider the Works of God, and observe the Operations 

 of his Hands ; Let us take notice of, and admire his infinite Wisdom and 

 Goodness in the Formation of them : No Creature in this sublunary 

 World is capable of so doing, besides Man, and yet we are deficient 

 herein : We content ourselves with the Knowledge of the Tongues, or a 

 little Skill in Philology, or History perhaps, and Antiquity, and neglect 

 that which to me seems more material, I mean, Natural History and the 

 Works of the Creation : I do not discommend or derogate from those 

 other Studies : I should betray mine own Ignorance and Weakness should 

 I do so ; I only wish they might not altogether justle out, and exclude 

 this. I wish that this might be brought in fashion among us ; I wish 

 Men would be so equal and civil, as not to disparage, deride and vilifie 

 those Studies which themselves skill not of, or are not conversant in ; 

 no Knowledge can be more pleasant than this, none that doth so satisfie 

 and feed the Soul ; in comparison whereto that of Words and Phrases 

 seem to me insipid and jejune." Ray. 



