THE BEGINNINGS OF PLANT LIFE 5 



ordinary student scarcely knows where to locate 

 them. 



In recent years, however, a better understand- 

 ing has been arrived at with regard to the more 



Fig. 2. Desmids (Closterium lunula], or unicellular 

 plants, found in standing waters. Actual length 

 about ^5 of an inch 



familiar forms, since a large number of these 

 gaily swimming organisms have been shown con- 

 clusively to belong to the Vegetable Kingdom. 



Fig. 2 shows a number of the singular uni- 

 cellular plants which are called "desmids." 

 These are minute fresh-water algae, of a beau- 

 tiful green colour and numerous diverse forms. 



