13 
when they had separated into shapeless masses, or sori of innumerable round spores ; 
the outlines of the spores no doubt caused the granular appearance noticed in the 
eight rounded masses or swarms. 
Algse when growing, are attached by the root to stones, shells, wood, and to other 
Algae, or matter, almost though not entirely indiscriminate. Yet we must not on that 
account suppose, that like the land plants, they feed from the root. The roots are of 
various forms, from a simple disc to complicated creeping fibres. Nothing, however, 
is known in regard to the mode or organs of nutrition ; all opinions on that subject 
are founded on hypothesis or conjecture. My present opinion, from very limited ex¬ 
perience is, that the external antheridia, in their several and distinct forms, are the 
organs which communicate nourishment, sensibility, or pleasure and pain, and in some 
way govern the fecundation or conception. 
The Corallines are also permanently attached by roots of various forms, but in 
this class the organs of nourishment are so large, and their motion so palpable, that 
we cannot remain in doubt of the offices they were intended to perform. The polype, 
or fleshy part of the Coralline, is capable of great expansion and contraction; its or¬ 
ganization shows a beautiful creature, armed with tentacula, which are thrown out on 
all sides to entice, entrap, and devour its prey. When disturbed, the tentacula, with 
the entire polype, is, in most cases, withdrawn nearly or entirely within the cell. The 
Corallines are numerous in our harbor, though very few of the species are suitable for 
a work of this kind ; and indeed no dried specimen of a natural type, can convey a re¬ 
mote idea of the form and beauty of the polype; the polypidom, or horny part of the 
Coralline, is all that remains to the eye ; the once beautiful polype has shrivelled and 
contracted to a very small rounded mass mostly within the cell, where the micros¬ 
cope alone will find it through the sub-opaque horny structure of the polypidom. 
Sponges and Corals are too beautiful and too interesting to be entirely omitted 
in this work. They belong to the general group of Zoophytes, though in most clas¬ 
sifications they are excluded from Algse and Corallines. Several of the Corals not 
herein described, will be found on the dried Algse; a very beautiful species that en¬ 
tombs the Gracilaria, and other plants, in his white silvery net, was found convenient 
for preservation. Two Sponges are inserted with the Corallines, not with any desire 
to have them considered as belonging to that order, but merely for convenience ; they 
are not numerous in our waters. Linnseus classed them with marine vegetables ; and 
some Naturalists of the present time are of opinion that they lean to the vegetable 
side of the finite line that separates the animal from the vegetable kingdom. 
The pleasure experienced in the study of Algology, is ample remuneration for 
the patient industry required in its pursuit. The discovery of a new Alga, or of some 
new feature in its organization or habit, will furnish mental food and reflection for a 
week. The individual rocks so gracefully clothed in Algse, become agreeably fami¬ 
liar in the frequent periodical visits. The gay irridescent plants seem tempting ; the 
shore scenery is inviting ; the exercise brings appetite, with a keen relish for food, 
while the heart flows in gratitude toHim who so graciously permits us to live in this 
last most perfect link of His beautiful creations. 
