106 THE EXTENSION OF THE PRINCIPLE. 
some fixed point, to which, they can attach them- 
selves, and thus commence their vegetable exist- 
ence. Small as these bodies are, they fulfil a 
most important office in creation ; so important, 
indeed, that the largest beast of the field would 
be less missed than one of these, and I cannot 
but imagine that the Divine Wisdom has given 
them their locomotive power that not one of 
them should perish. Connected, as I believe it 
is, with this highly interesting subject, I must here 
allude to one of the most remarkable deviations 
from ordinary growth, with which the botanical 
physiologist is acquainted. In the Laminarics , 
the footstalk of the leaf or frond lasts for a great 
number of years, whilst the laminated portion is 
renewed annually, the new growth commencing 
between the apex of the footstalk and the base 
of the laminated part, until the preceding growth 
of the expanded part becomes thrown off.* The 
persistent footstalks serve for the attachment and 
growth of successive myriads of the smaller sea- 
weeds, and nothing can be conceived more beau- 
tiful than these fairy-like submarine forests, 
clothed with lovely vegetation of varied hues, 
* In many parts of onr coast, these are cast on. shore in large 
quantities, and, after having fulfilled their destiny in their natural 
element, contribute, in the way of manure, to increase our crops of 
potatoes, &c. Truly, Nature is a wonderful economist. 
