239 
RESISTANCE, 
TREMELLA NOSTOC. 
Tus tremella is a gelatinous plant, which has 
occupied much of the naturalist’s attention, but 
as yet it has baffled research. It was very 
celebrated among the alchemists of old, who 
used it in the preparation of the philosopher’s 
stone and universal panacea, considering it as a 
fallen star. Other sages have fancied it to be 
the returned food of hawks which had devoured 
frogs, while others supposed it to be an animal. 
It seems, however, to render research fruitless, 
by being continually found in various analogous 
forms, which again resume their previous appear- 
ance. They are generally found in the alleys 
of gardens, and in moist pasture; and some- 
times, after a wet and rainy night, the earth in 
the thickets of the Tuileries has been observed 
to be entirely covered. A few hours after sun- 
rise, they entirely disappear. In short, we 
know nothing certain about this singular plant ; 
itis a secret of nature which resists our most 
persevering inquiries. 



















