70 COililOX SEAWEEDS. 



through each of which run several minute tubes or 

 threads; at the end of a branch, other pods, like 

 these, but pierced with small holes, contain the seeds. 

 And jet not simply seeds or spores: divide one, or 

 make a thin slice, and, examining it under the micro- 

 scope, we shall see seven or eight large cells im- 

 mersed in the substance of the pod, and in each cell 

 a multitude of oblong, simple, dark brown spores, 

 mingled with tufts of branching filaments tipped with 

 orange-coloured antlieridia : th ese latterare supposed 

 to fructify the spores. 



Then on the frond we find rich silvery tufts of a 

 zoophyte called Celullaria Beptans, or fairy plumes of 

 Plamularia Cristata, on every branch of which a de- 

 licate crystal cup holds the living creature safe from 

 the storm, while it rides upon the floating frond, 

 stretching forth twelve transparent flexible feelers; 

 feeding on invisible golden fish, the diatom we call Na- 

 vicula, or swallowing golden rods of another diatom 

 called Baccilaria. There is another zoophyte who 

 loves the Halidrys, VaTkeria Cuscuta : it resembles in 

 miniature the Dodder that lives upon our furze bushes, 

 and is extremely pretty laid out upon paper. 



Header, are all these names hard ? and is this life 

 unknown to you ? Be not discouraged, neither care- 

 less of all these wonderful things : add to this seaweed 

 manual another shilling book,* and the rock-pool and 

 the seaweed will be of double interest. 



* " Common Objects of tlie Sea Shore." 



