shorter than the filaments which give origin to them. The
first are always simple, the latter arc covered with new
shoots, still shorter, np to near the extremities, these arc
usually simple, so that the last branches are constantly
naked.
“ The whole plant is covered with a fine and mucous down,
about half a line long or more. This down gives to the
liranchcs the aiipcarancc of little cylindrical stalks of the
size of a crow-qnill. I t is composed of simple ” (rarely
branched) “ threads in the form of cilia, in which the joints
arc not apparent with a simple magnifying glass, hut In
Avhich they arc distinguished when they arc submitted to
a very strong lens.
“ The branches of Thorea ramosissima arc often many icct
in length, and float gently in the water, whose course ^^ley
followt Their colour is an obscure and deep green. They
assume very frequently on paper a very elegant scarlet tint.
When tliey arc macerated in pure water, they soon acquire
the same tint, and they comimmicatc it to every thing winch
surrounds them. Pieces of flax, cotton, and silk contained
in the same vessels become dyed in a manner often very
intense. This clrcuinstancc has made me presume that some
use in the arts might he made for the fccula of Thorea ramosissima.”
After detailing numerous chemical experiments, M. Bory
de St. Vincent concludes his description of the species with
the following remarks: — “ As to the use which might be
made of the fccula, that is easy ; painters have found its tint
more soft and more brilliant than tha t of violets obtained hy
other processes; but I doubt whether this beautiful colour
would be very durable, by reason of the action which oxygen
necessarily exercises upon it, as one of the experiments we
have related shows.”
The capsules, as seen in fig. 4. of plate x v i., which figure
is taken from Kiitzlng’s “ Pliycologia Generalis,” would appear
to bear a close resemblance to those of Trentepohlia
pulchella, being, as in that species, small, pyriform, corymbose,
and subinvohicrate ; the secondary branches are occasionally.
though rarely, again branched: this is also seen In Kiitzing’s
figure.
Mr. Harvey, in his “ Manual,” writes, “ Of this beautiful
plant, I have seen no British specimens. I introduce it on
the authority of a note in the late Mr. Templeton’s MS.,
whose well-known accuracy leaves no room to doubt his
coirectncss in this instance, though he has not preserved a
specimen in his ‘ Herbarium.’ ”
“ It may bo (for ought I know, and as some Divines have thought) part
of our Business and Employment in Eternity, to contemplate the Works
of God, and give him the Glory of his Wisdom, Power and Goodness,
manifested in the Creation of them. I am sure it is part of the Business
of a Sabbath day, and the Sabbath is a Type of that Eternal R e s t; for
the Sabbath seems to have been first instituted for a Commemoration of
the Works of the Creation from which God is said to have rested upon
the SCTenth Day. It is not likely that Eternal life shall be a torpid and
unactlve State, or that it shall consist only in an uninterrupted and endless
Act of Love; the other Faculties shall be employed as avoII as tlie Will
in Actions suitable to, and perfective of their Nature ; especially the
Understanding, the Supreme Faculty of the Soul, which chiefly differ-
enceth us from brute Beasts, and makes us capable of Virtue and Vice
of Rewards and Punishments, shall be busied and employed in contemplating
the Works of God and observing the Divine Art and Wisdom
manifested in the Structure and Composition of them, and reflecting
upon their Great Architect the Praise and Glory due to Him, then shall
we clearly see to our great Satisfaction and Admiration the Ends and
Uses of these Things which here arc either too subtle for us to penetrate
and discover, or remote and too inaccessible for us to come to a distinct
View of.” — Itay.