984 XIV. ALGiE. 



In tlioae Fucace<B which, like Chara, are moccecious or dioecious, the antherozoids act directly on a 

 nalied spore, after it leaves the sporangium, and which is thus analogous to the germinal vesicle of the 

 superior animals. In Flwidece, which are monoecious or dioecious, the antherozoids, which have no power 

 of motion, empty tfieir contents on a tubular organ {trichogyne), and this matter assists in the formation 

 of several spores in a sort of capsule (eystocarp), which may be compared with an archegonium. Finally, 

 in certain Fungi the spores are fecundated by the action of a peculiar fluid, proceeding from simple cells, 

 which rest on the female organ, but which have no antherozoids. This imperfect sexuality, joined to the 

 simplicity of their structure, the absence of green matter, and the phenomena of their respiration, would' 

 authorize us in considering them as terminating the vegetable series, if the presence of vessels containing 

 peculiar juices, and their very varied proximate principles, did not indicate an organization higher than 

 that of Algce, with which, nevertheless, they are connected through Saprolegniets ; these being true 

 VancheriiB with no green matter, which have been considered by eminent botanists now as Fungi, now 

 as Algm, 



This diversity in the structure and functions of the reproductive organs of Cryptogams, which we 

 have explained as accurately as we could, clearly separates them from Phsenogams, in which the action 

 of the pollen and the development of the embryo are, in spite of the polymorphism of the flower, so 

 strikingly uniform. 



When, in studying those Acotyledonous families of apparently a higher order, which the brilliant 

 discoveries of some modern observers tend from time to time to separate from Cryptogams, we bear in 

 mind the physiological role of the antherozoids and zoospores, which seem borrowed from animals, we 

 cannot but recognize here the mysterious link between the two Kingdoms, which are drawn still closer 

 together by the intimate connection that exists between the Spurious Alga (Jiiatomece, Volvoninets, 

 Palmellees) and animals of the simplest organization. Hence the ingenious comparison of the Animal and 

 Vegetable Kingdoms to two trees of which the tops ai-e far apart, while their roots interlace ; or to two 

 cones, the tops of which are occupied by the most perfect beings, while the juxtaposed bases are repre- 

 sented by a commingling of inferior organisms. Linnseus entertained the same view, and thus gave 

 expression to it in his ' Philosophia Botanica' : — Nature connects animals and plants by their most imper- 

 fect species; 'Natura sociat plantas et animalia; hoc faciendo non connectit perfectissimas plantas cum 

 aniraalibus maxime imperfectis, sed imperfecta animalia et imperfectas plantas consociat. Naturae regna 

 conjunguntur in minimis.' 



