‘■À
I t is only in the exterior and more consistent portions of
the frond that the cysts are clearly visible; they are usually
fi¡)herical, but occasionally elongated and pointed at each end,
the contained granules being likewise elongated, and small,
almost abortive.
COCCOCIIEOKIS OBSCURA Ilass.
Plate C H I. Fig. 5.
Char. Granules small and circidar. Cysts also small.
Ilab. Limestone rocks, co. A n trim : ilfr. Moore.
The granules and cysts in this species arc much smaller
than in Coccochloris cystifera, and not unfrequently a little
difficulty is perceived in detecting them.
“ The Observations which have been made in these latter Times by the
help of the Microscope since we had the Use and Improvement of it,
discover a vast Difference between Natural and Artificial Things. Whatever
is Natural, beheld through that, appeal's o.xipiisltely form’d and
adorn’d with all imaginable Elegancy and Beauty. There are such inimitable
Glidings in the smallest Seeds of Plants, but especially in the
Parts of Animals, iu the Head or Eye, of a small Ely ; such Accuracy,
Order, and Symmetry in the Frame of the utmost minute Creatures, a
Lmmc, for Examjile, or a Mite, as no Man wore able to conceive without
seeing of them. Whereas the most curious Works of Art, the sharpest
and finest Needle, doth appear as a blunt rough Bar of Iron, coming from
the Furnace, or the Forge. The most accurate Engravings, or Embossments,
seem such rude, bungling, and deformed Work, as if they had
been done with a Mattock, or Trowel ; so vast a difference is there bc-
twi.xt the Skill of Nature, and the Rudeness and Imperfection of Art.
I might , add, that the Works of Nature, the better Lights and Glasses
you use, the more clearer and exactly form’d they appear, whereas the
Effects of humane Art, the more curiously they are view’d and examin’d,
the more of Deformity they discover.”— Ray.
443
CONCLUSION.
I HAVE at length brought to a conclusion a work which
for a considerable period has occupied much of my time and
many of my thoughts. The feelings which have attended its
progress have been various: frequently, as on the discovery
of new species or facts, or the elucidation of some difficult
¡)oint, those of pleasure and satisfaction have prevailed ; occasionally
the opposite ones of doubt, and even despair, have
been predominant, as when I could not satisfactorily sec my
way through difficulties ; these feelings, however, poignant as
they were while they lasted, were, I am happy to say, but of
short duration. Next day the task was usually resumed, and
all the doubt and perplexities vanished before renewed examination.
Those who follow after me in the investigation of this
department of natural science, still so rich in tlic discoveries
which it yields to deserving perseverance, while they will to
an extent scarcely inferior participate in the feelings of satisfaction
and delight which I have cxjircsscd, will, it is hoped,
share less those of an opi)ositc character, now that the way
is oi)cncd out, and that a clearer view of the subject may be
obtained.
I t was my intention to liavc made this History of the
British Freshwater Alga, answer more closely to the title of
a history than in its present form it docs, and tha t it should
have contained a chapter devoted to a historical consideration
of the subject; this, although a difficult uudcrtakiug, would
liavc been a most grateful one, for it would have afforded an
opportunity of mentioning in the terms of eulogy wliich they