76 
THE BEAUTIFUL LADDER. 
ing guide, we can descend among the slimy de¬ 
posits of pond and pool, and find everywhere such 
marvels of beauty and skill that there will be no 
mistaking the source of these rich adornings. 
“ But, clear and unmistakable as have been 
the waymarks of Jehovah’s presence in wonder¬ 
working skill among the algae of the ponds, the 
study of the treasures therein concealed is but 
just begun. The life and beauties thus far 
traced out are endowments of the lower orders 
of vegetable life; the thing ‘ having life ’ has 
only been brought into observation. This life 
the plant has fed and nurtured, and has served 
but as the scaffolding of the building of animal 
existence. During our investigations, however, 
the foundation-stones of this grand superstruc¬ 
ture have been revealed—hidden, like those min¬ 
istering to their formation and growth, by their 
own minuteness. In the next study we will 
take another step up the ladder of creative prog¬ 
ress, which will elevate us to the plane of the 
animal kingdom, though the step will be but a 
short one—from Desmid to Diatom —and leave 
us still beneath the waters of the frog-pond.” 
“ Well, Lew,” said Davidson, as they parted 
