THALLOGENS. 47 



Sec. 4. These external resemblances seem uncon- 

 scious prophecies of forms which prove that all living 

 things have been formed upon an intelligent plan. 



The cells of algce multiply by self-division, and are 

 of various forms. Some absorb nourishment, or 

 secrete various materials, or serve merely for growth, 

 while others are appropriated to the reproduction of 

 the species, which in some instances has a very com- 

 plicated method. 



3. The class of fungi contains a large number of 

 different kinds, some quite simple and others complex 

 in structure. These organisms have so many pecul- 

 iarities that some scientists regard them as neither 

 animal nor vegetable, but as forming a sort of third 

 kingdom. They have a similar cellular form to vege- 

 tables, but they have no chlorophyll, as green vegeta- 

 bles have ; light is not necessary to their growth as it is 

 to vegetables ; and, like animals, they need organic sub- 

 stances for food. It has been found that they are the 

 agents of fermentation and putrefaction, and their prin- 

 cipal business seems to be the removal of the waste ma- 

 terial of both animal and vegetable life. They are 

 universal scavengers. The simplest forms of Fungi, 

 or the Molds, resemble Protophytes, except in the ab- 

 sence of chlorophyll. The yeast-plant is one of these 

 forms. It is simply a round or oval cell which mul- 

 tiplies rapidly by putting forth buds and by self -di- 

 vision. It is the cause of fermentation in all sugary 



