THE BEAUTIFUL LADDER. 69 
and then charging her with the sad results of 
their own follies. But go where we may arid 
search what we will, a devout sense of an all- 
pervading wisdom and goodness will illuminate 
and beautify the path of our steps and the ob¬ 
jects of our contemplation. 
“A striking illustration of the divine asso¬ 
ciation of a devout spirit and a keen insight 
into the secrets of Nature is furnished by the 
minute and beautiful forms of vegetable life 
now under contemplation. Found more or 
less plentiful in all fresh waters, they particu¬ 
larly abound in clear pools and gently-running 
brooks, where they often form thick accumula¬ 
tions over everything submerged, giving a del¬ 
icate tinge of green to the entire waters. 
“ The forms of these vegetable gems are of 
the most exquisite patterns—diamonds, crosses, 
shields, crescents, scrolls, ribbons, globes, and 
stars, and all the devices of heraldry. The 
centres are generally of a brilliant green, del¬ 
icately bordered and barred with filigree-work 
of purest crystal or pale azure. In nearly all 
the specimens minute dividing-marks are seen, 
and when watched closely for a time an actual 
separation takes place, and the gem breaks up 
