EARLY DISCOVERIES BY THE MICROSCOPE. 35 



lations of mud studded with masses of minute 

 living forms. The extent of their numbers may 

 be conceived, when we are told that a particle 

 of the earth of the size of half a pin's head 

 contains multitudes of the infusoria. Indeed, 

 Ehrenberg states that particles of rnud sent to 

 him from many points of the globe, and not 

 exceeding one-twelfth of an inch in thickness, 

 often contained hundreds of distinct species ! 



" Oh, there are curious things of which men know- 

 As yet Imt little ! Secrets lying hid 

 Within all natural objects. Be they shells, 

 Which ocean flingeth from off her billows, 

 Or the low sand or flowers, or trees, or grasses, 

 Covering the earth ; rich metals or bright 'ores 

 Beneath the surface. He who findeth out 

 Those secret things hath a fair right to gladness ; 

 For he hath well performed, and doth awake 

 Another note of praise on Nature's harp 

 To hymn her Great Creator." 



