GUIDE TO COLLECTION. 



CHAPTER I. 



OF THE ALG.E GENERALLY. 



Few studies afford more instruction, or are attended with 

 more genuine pleasure, than that of the Algae. And this is 

 not simply due to the boundless wealth of form which they 

 exhibit, and which astonishes and delights even those who 

 have never given their attention to Natural History. Nor 

 is it merely on account of the inexhaustible materials 

 for observation and comparison which they afford to the 

 botanist. But the main point of interest consists in this, 

 that it is only by a close investigation of the conditions 

 of life existing in the Algae, that we are enabled to get a 

 true insight into the structure and functions of the higher 

 plants. In fact, it is not too much to say, that vegetable 

 anatomy and physiology, and the theory of the nature, deve- 

 lopment, and increase of vegetable cells — depend in no 

 slight degree on the close observation of the Algae ; because 

 in them the separate existence of each cell is so clearly 

 seen. Whoever, therefore, would cultivate the study of 

 vegetable anatomy, must first make himself thoroughly 

 acquainted with this particular family. 



Materials for observation are always near at hand, for 

 Algae abound everywhere ; often, indeed, where the superficial 

 observer would scarcely expect to find even the smallest 

 trace. Wherever water collects in large or small quantities, 

 in a sea or lake, in a river or pond, and equally in the 

 smallest ditch or puddle, or even on the face of a damp 

 wall, there Algae thrive, and invite the attention of the 



B 



