98

ELEMENTS OF MATERIA MEDICA.

m

IV

in their appearance ; as the Actinia, or Sea Anemones (Fig. 32.) On theFig. 32. other hand, vegetables oftentimes exhibit a close re-

lation, in their external appearances, to animals.The genus Oscillaria (of the family Alga) has acylindrical form analogous to the common earth­ worm ( Lumbricus terrestris ), and presents a jointedappearance, from the junction of the segmentscomposing its interior tube. Now, individuals ofthis genus are endowed with the power of motion,as if voluntary, like animals. Tendaridea Pollux(Fig. 33) is an example of the tribe of plants calledConjugates, the individuals of which perform someActinia. acts analogous to those of animals. Two tubes

approach each other, and become connected: we then observe that theFig. 33. green-colouring matter (which in each has a star-like form)passes from the joint of one into the joint of the other, andforms there a roundish gemmiform body, which subsequentlybecomes a new being. In the Zoocarpea we have beings inwhich the vegetable and animal states appear to succeedeach other. In Anthophysis dichotoma (Fig. 34) the tubular

filaments produce, at their ex-

Fig. 34.

tremities, little globules, which,when detached from their sup-port, possess a locomotive power,and (according to Bory St. Vin-cent) become a multitude of Zoo-carpece, or animated monads.

Tendaridea

Pollux.

Anthophysis dichotoma.

The accompanying diagramwill explain in what way it hasbeen supposed the mineral, ve-getable, and animal groups ap-proach each other:—

Minerals

Arthrodieae Phytozoa

Fig. 3.5.