90 CHARACE^E. 



coils (see pi. LXII. fig. 3.) within the divisions become agitated ; 

 some shake or vibrate about, others revolve in their confined 

 places, and many come out, thus showing that they are 

 spirals of two or three coils, and then with an agitated motion 

 swim about. Now the field of view appears filled with life ; 

 great numbers of these spirals are seen agitated and moving in 

 all directions ; they all have a directive force, one end always 

 going foremost and never the other ; many stray a great way 

 out of the field ; these, by getting clear of each other, are 

 best to observe ; they do not quite keep their form as a stiff 

 spiral, but their foremost end seems to lash about ; and to 

 many are seen attached (see plate LXII. figs. 5, 6.) almost invi- 

 sible but very long fibres. These fibres were in quick undu- 

 lations, which rose in waves from the spiral to their farthest 

 end. It appears that these fibres cause many of the spirals 

 to entangle together, and thus bring them to a state of rest; 

 therefore the separate ones were best to observe." 



With a few other remarks this brief description of the 

 CharacecR may be terminated. The spiral disposition of 

 organs seems to prevail almost universally throughout the 

 works of nature. The most superficial observer could not 

 be at a loss for a single moment to point out examples of it. 

 In the zoophytes this arrangement of parts is especially ob- 

 vious ; in no order of productions is it, however, more ap- 

 parent than in that which is under discussion. The tubes 

 which enfold the main cells are spirally disposed ; the cir- 

 culation in these cells follows a spiral course ; and lastly, the 

 cells of the seed-vessel are exactly, simply, and beautifully 

 spiral ; exactitude, simplicity, and beauty being the chief cha- 

 racteristics of the spiral disposition or formation. 



The preceding pages embody an accurate and minute de- 

 scription of the different parts constituting the structure of the 

 order Characece, and of the different remarkable phenomena 

 presented in those parts ; so accurate, indeed, as to leave but 

 little to be desired in this respect : and yet, how much remains 

 to be solved and explained ! how deep is the mystery which 

 veils the right understanding of the different actions which 

 have been detailed ! The following questions may be pro- 



