THE BEGINNINGS OF PLANT LIFE 25 



measures one-eighth of an inch in diameter, every 

 individual specimen having been placed within 

 this small compass. This is truly very wonderful 

 work ; but when we magnify these exquisite atoms 

 and see their marvellous, symmetrical patterns, 

 thousands of times smaller yet perfect withal, we 

 see how insignificant man's most clever and 

 ingenious efforts become in comparison with 

 Nature's humblest works. 



The central portion of this prettily arranged 

 group is shown more highly magnified in Fig. 14 ; 

 and to exhibit the infinite variety of form and 

 design in these fascinating plant atoms, another 

 wonderful group is illustrated in Fig. 15, which 

 also is arranged within a circle one-eighth of an 

 inch in diameter, while a portion from near the 

 centre of this is again further magnified in 

 Fig. 1 6. 



In conclusion, we may glance at a few forms of 

 alpfa^ that show a further advance in plant form ; 



O A 



that is, an advance on the single cell. 



We take from almost any pond some of the 

 common green slime almost invariably found in 

 such localities. On examining this material we 

 find long strings or threads of vegetable cells, all 

 alike and joined together, as is shown in Fig. 17. 

 When these thread-like plants are about to 

 propagate or multiply, corresponding cells in 



