86 
THE BEAUTIFUL LADDER. 
earth and drop of water these minute attesta¬ 
tions of infinite skill and goodness! 
“ These are living gems which multiply so rap¬ 
idly that they are adding layer after layer to the 
earth’s surface, .a conglomerate of minuteness 
and beauty. They are seen in verd-antique, 
agate, amethyst, jasper, opal, and many other 
precious stones, so prized as personal adorn¬ 
ments and objects of value. They do not pos¬ 
sess the activity and variety of movements seen 
in the desmids, but they have motion. Watch 
these two frustules of Navicula or Permularia 
as they slowly near each other. Anon they 
touch at some point, and how suddenly they 
come together as though strongly attracted each 
to the other! Mark that long chain of quadrate 
striated spores, resembling the workmanship of 
a bracelet. A curious activity will be noticed 
among those golden-green links; they break 
up, and, turning to the right or left, corner 
touches corner for a few moments, and then 
they part company, each to become the centre 
of a new generation. 
“ Here is seen a beautiful fan-shaped palm 
tree, golden and crystal leaved, whose foliage 
quivers for a moment and then breaks into a 
