THE BEAUTIFUL LADDER. I05 
mireha. They form one of the most interesting 
families of Infusoria. 
“ But there is little disposition to be minute 
or special in description when so filled with 
wonder and admiration. The more we gaze, 
the more are we thrilled with amazement at 
the marvels of the divine handiwork, though 
the field of observation be but an insignificant 
drop of ditch-water. What a multiplication of 
strange and beautiful living organisms, any one 
of which might hold the attention for hours, 
and yet leave the ‘eyes not satisfied with see¬ 
ing’! 
“ These marvellous creations may not be the 
beginnings of life, but they are the first that 
come within the range of our scrutiny, and that 
put our feet fairly on the living ladder that leads 
up to him who is The Life both as a source and 
a gift. And what is the one thrilling sensation 
and question ? Is it skill with a grand pur¬ 
pose? or creation without an end? If a drop 
of ditch-water is filled with such an infinitude 
of curious and beautiful existences, to what will 
the ascending scale lead us ? If the foot of 
the ladder rests on such a marvellous founda¬ 
tion, on what a pinnacle of glory will the top- 
