146 
POPULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
formed as in the plant cell, but a regular consumption and 
digestion of food takes place, even in such as do not exceed 
one-thousandth part of an inch in diameter Ah ! 
you may smile ; but I mean to feed some of them this evening, 
just as they feed the higher animals at the Zoological Gardens ; 
and when you have seen them at meals, perhaps your scepticism 
will be at an end.” 
At this last observation of mine, my little auditory laughed 
outright, for they regarded the statement that an invisible 
globule, “not exceeding one-thousandth part of an inch in 
diameter,” could be fed in the same manner as a quadruped, 
as a barefaced attempt to practise upon their credulity ; and, 
laughing heartily, we all adjourned to the study to witness this 
wonderful phenomenon. 
“ This is a very graceful cluster of flowers,” my pupil 
remarked, as she leaned over the microscope, after I had 
prepared a slide for her inspection ; “ but you said that you 
were going to exhibit to ns some forms of animals.” 
“ Why, good heavens ! these plants are all instinct with 
life ! How they sway from side to side, coiling and uncoiling 
their stems ! — and see, that central one that towers above the 
rest has disappeared, whilst I speak. Ho ! here it is again, 
slowly uncoiling its footstalk. 
“ How beautiful ! There to the right are two, drooping 
gracefully, with all the elegance of Cant^bury-bells, and 
wooing one another like lovers ; and yonder to the left we have 
matrimony typified — two bells upon one stalk. 
“ And look ! even the cups of the flowers have the power to 
change then' shape ; now they are globular, now vase-shaped ! 
“How lovely ! This scene, indeed, eclipses yourYolvox and 
all your plants — that is to say, if these be not plants also, for 
your disclosures have rendered it impossible to judge of the true 
nature of these invisible forms by any ordinary standard. I 
could sit and gaze on them for hours and watch their varied 
movements. 
“ But what are those blue flakes that revolve in a current 
around the cups of the flowers ? 
“ Well, I confess you are unfolding to us the invisible works 
of nature, with ever-increasing interest and attraction. Let 
them all approach and witness this wonderful sight, and then 
we will again be patient listeners and learners.” 
“ You will have to be a patient listener this evening,” I 
remarked ; “ but as you will only be doing- penance for the 
ridicule with which you just now treated the information that 
I gave you, I shall not deem it necessary to apologize for 
testing your powers of endurance. 
