284 Scientific Intelligence. 
est attention. A complete history of them would form one of the most 
interesting treatises in the whole range of natural science, and would 
touch upon most of the important questions discussed at the present 
day, as to the nature, origin and propagation of cells, the limits of veg- 
etable and animal life, and as to what constitutes the individual in 
plants. Prof. Braun’s little treatise is an important contribution to this 
subject, although he illustrates only six genera. In the introduction he 
gives his general — upon the one-celled Alge, their limits, system- 
atic thee 
notice also, sais, in sketching the outlines of the grand divisions 
of dha vegetable kingdom, co sidered as to their grade of evolution, 
Prof. Braun adopts Brongniart’s view,—towards which there has been 
d. No 
nada are adduced. $ point is one mrad sty “6s pat 28 
which now demands a ae diseussio 
6. On s specimens of deep sea gaa coe the sea i ae 
schatka, collected by Lieut. Brooke, U. S. N.; by Prof. Baiey. 
he following copy of a letter from Prof. Bailey to Lieut. Maury, 
of the National Observatory, Washington, D. C., dated West Point 
New York, January 29th, 1856, has been sent to us for publication.— 
Eps. 
Ihave examined with much pleasure the highly interesting speci- 
mens collected by Lieut. Brooke of the U. S. Navy, w ich you 
2d. In the dee eepest so soundings (No. 1. and No. 2) he is ay 
mineral matter, the organic contents (which are the same in all) pre 
dominating, while the reverse is true of No. 3. 
3d. All the specimens are very rich in the siliceous shells of the 
Diato which are in an admirable state of pre servation,—!re- 
Signy. ith the valves united and even retaining the “jppatile of the 
and beau- 
Di iatoms, the most conspicuous are the large 
s) a large number of a new species of Rhizosolenia, @ new 
q 
4 
y i 
“ 
: 
veral species of Coscinodiscus. There is also (besides 
