158 Miscellanies. , 



unprofitable objects of study. There will be scope, too, for the 

 acutest powers of thought and observation, unless he is content 

 merely to skim the surface of things. Even independently of the 

 necessity of using optical instruments, a point very much exag- 

 gerated, for if the minuter points of physiology in Pheuogams 

 are deeply studied, no less an amplifying power is necessary, and 

 perhaps even greater tact and skill in manipulation, the difficulties 

 Avhich arise from the wide limits within which not merely species 

 but accredited genera are capable of varying, are sufficient to ex- 

 ercise the highest mental qualifications. It does not follow, how- 

 ever, that the end obtained should be at all proportional to the 

 necessary labour. The objects which the accomplished Crypto- 

 gamist has in view are not comprised within the mere determi- 

 nation of species, or the admiration of the exquisite forms and 

 combination which meet him at every turn. If he aims at no- 

 thing higher than the first, he may indeed be useful in his genera- 

 tion, provided he be cautious enough, and possessed of suflficient 

 self-denial to prevent his striving to glorify himself, rather than 

 to clear the road for investigators of higher pretensions. If beauty 

 of form and singularity of structure be alone his object, his time 

 may be passed agreeably enough ; but in most cases, like ten 

 thousand microscopists of the present day, he will be but a mere 

 trifler, without any better aim than innocent amusement ; or, if 

 he be a dabbler in science, with some wish to attain reputation 

 which he has not the patience to seek after by a continued course 

 of study and mental discipline, he will be deriving general infer- 

 ences fi'om isolated, half-understood facts to the detriment and 

 confusion of real science. Perhaps of all literary dissipation, 

 the desultory observations of the mere microscopist are the most 

 delusive. And even where the objects are higher, it is well that 

 every one whose attention is much directed to this greatly abused 

 instrument, should remember that if he wishes to penetrate the 

 secrets of nature, he must look beyond his microscopist, — a fact 

 of which some microscopists of considerable reputation do not 

 seem at all aware. The paramount importance of the subject is 

 to be seen in far different matters." 



The author divides Cryptogamic plants into two great classes 

 THALLOGENS AND ACROGENS, described and sub- divided as follows ; 



Glass I. — Tliallogens. — Seldom herbaceous or provided with 

 foliaceous appendages, * * * * Spermatozoids not spiral. — 

 Comprises 



