VAUCHEKIA. 63 



spontaneous motion. I could scarcely believe my eyes when 

 I perceived the contraction to become more decided, and a 

 cavity to be formed at the base. The contraction at length 

 divided the globule into two smaller globules, which moved 

 spontaneously towards the summit. As the developement 

 proceeded, the cavity and the uppermost globule became 

 enlarged, while the inferior globule became diminished : the 

 latter at length disappeared, and the remaining large globule 

 escaped by a terminal orifice, ascending till it reached the 

 surface of the water. The whole of this process occupied 

 about thirty seconds ; but from subsequent observations it 

 may be stated generally to take up one minute." 



M. linger has, in his late work, verified the correctness of 

 the above observations in all essential particulars, and has 

 further proved that the motion of the spores is owing to 

 their surface being covered with vibratile ciliary organs, until 

 lately supposed to be eharacteristic of animal life. M. G. 

 Thuret has also more recently published an excellent memoir 

 on the formation and developement of the spores in Vaucheria 

 clavata. See Introduction. 



" From the Constancy that is observed in the Number Figure Place 

 and Make of all the principal Parts ; and from the Variety in the less. 

 Man is always mending and altering his Works; but Nature observes 

 the same Tenor, because her Works are so perfect that there is no 

 place for Amendments ; nothing that can be reprehended. The most 

 sagacious Men in so many Ages have not been able to find any Flaw in 

 these Divinely contrived and formed Machines, no Slot or Error in this 

 great Volume of the World, as if anything had been an imperfect Essay 

 at the first (to use the Bishop of Chester's Words :) Nothing that can be 

 altered for the better ; nothing but if it were altered would be marred." 

 Ray's Wisdom of God. 



