46 THE VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 



CHAPTER III. 



INFUSORIAL EARTHS. 



THESE slides, which require high power and a good micro- 

 scope to examine, consist of specimens of Diatomacese from 

 different parts of the world. Their value is in proportion to 

 the knowledge of their possessor concerning the Diatomacese 

 generally and particularly. The Diatomacese are minute 

 vegetable forms, called also ' ' brittleworts," from the almost 

 unavoidable separation of their cells or frustules in handling 

 them. Long have they caused disputes as to their animal 

 or vegetable nature. Very eminent naturalists, such as 

 Ehrenberg, seeing them gifted with spontaneous motion, 

 the little golden Naviculse sailing slowly across the field of 

 vision, apparently turning back when meeting with an 

 obstacle, or whirling gently round as if by their own will, 

 decided that they were surely animal, and classed them 

 with the Infusoria, which are microscopic animals, found 

 in salt and fresh water. But later researches and patient 

 investigation have placed beyond doubt the vegetable 

 nature of these beautiful creations, to whose variety there 

 appears no limit. 



As the wondering astronomer discovers the infinite 

 worlds revealed in unfathomed space, and sees star after 

 star arise in countless myriads within the dim and distant 

 nebulae, as his mind bows down overwhelmed by the sense 

 of the omnipotent Creator's dominion and guidance of all 

 those glorious orbs, even so the microscopist bends in 

 astonished awe before the infinitude of God's works in the 

 uncountable varieties and exquisite beauty of the minute 

 Diatoms. 



BILIN SLATE. Wherefore are they thus highly wrought, 

 and why in such abundance ? Take up that slide of Bilin 

 slate, and know that in one single cubic inch 40,000 millions 

 of these delicate forms are found ! 



