THE FIRST-TIDE POOL. 29 



Although placed in the lowest ranks of Alga, the 

 manner of its fructification is very interesting, and 

 leads me to speak of the three kinds of reproductive 

 bodies we are apt to confound in one word, seed. 



Seeds are produced only by flowers of highest rank, 

 and always contain an embryo, which is nourished 

 by more or less albumen, a provision stored up in the 

 cells of the seed, for the use of the little plant whilst 

 in the earth. 



Spores are seeds without embryo, and develope in 

 quite a different way, multiplying cells into a broad 

 expanse or green film, out of which arise male and 

 female organs, called anikeridia and archegonia, which 

 can only be seen with a good microscope. 



Zoospores belong to what we are seeking — Con- 

 ferva of all kinds. They are minute bodies formed 

 between the joints, which, when perfect, are ciliated or 

 edged with fine hair called cilia, and this hair moves 

 like so many little paddles, causing the zoospores 

 to swim out of its cell, and, after whirling about for 

 awhile, to fix upon the spot where as Conferva they 

 will grow. Bearing this interesting fact in mind, 

 gather any loose green threads, and lay them out: 

 examine them with the microscope, when they will 

 appear as coils of lovely variegated green ribbon. 



Generic diameter. — Filaments green, jointed, at- 

 tached or floating, unbranched. 



Observe this latter Qualification, because it alone 

 will distinguish it from an AlgcB extremely like it 

 called Cladojplwra, a Conferva-\\\.Q plant, but branched 

 in various ways, common in all tide-pools from high- 

 water mark, to the deepest pool at lowest ebb. 



