The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1907-09-26

however, of these little known plant |
jewels that presents them to investi-
gators, as the unique place they occupy
in the biological world. Researches |
have been conducted recently into their
value in determining the origin of sea
bottoms and the direction and extent
of the currents which carry them.
Standard works describes a diatom
as one of a family of minute unicel-
lular algae having a siliceous covering
of great delicacy, each individual nut
tiplying by spontaneous division"
That is perfectly true. In other words,
it is a very tiny water plant with
protecting case of sparkling glass-like
substance. To appreciate its beauty one
must put it under a microscope. Then
enlarged from % to 600 diameters, it
appears glistening jewel of a rare
order.
Although diatoms, when examined
closely are shown to be constructed
not very artistically, like the lid and
bottom of a pasteboard box they still
have not been neglected in their finish
Indeed, it may be stated safely" says
DR.. Mann that there is hardly a kind
of surface ornamentation known that
has not been utilized in identifying
these structures. Polished beads of
varying sizes arranged in radiating or
cOncentric rows, shining bars, wavy
ridges, delicate watch case milling,
hexagonal network, the interspaces OF
which are often further ornamented
with secondary sculpture, intricate ara
besque designs, in short, a diversity
and delicacy of establishment that
makes these plants the most ornate of
all living objects" And none of them
larger than a pinhead.
A study of their life in the water has
revealed the fact that they feed upon
inorganic substances in solution in the
water about them. Their food must
have sunlight, and, therefore subter-
ranean streams and the deeper parts of
the sea are forbidden them while they
are alive.
They are able to multiply merely by
a single plant splitting down the middle
and forming two plants which in turn
after little development and separate
nourishment, split again.
Some diatoms grow fixed to the bot
tom or to other plants, but there are
large numbers of them which move
about from place to place in the wa
ter. Their motion for long time,
puzzled biologists and botanists. 1t is
conceded generally however, that these
tiny plants creep about by themselves.
Some Investigators have gone to far as
to say that they swim, but they are
found helpless and inert if not in con-
tact with some fixed substance.
There will be no difficulty for any
one interested in the examination OF
these plants in finding them" says DR.
Mann, "either as living or as fossil
forms. Whatever there is a brown
coloration of the surface of the mud
submerged stones, or twigs, not red
yellow which is due to iron, but a
brown yellow to almost black, there are
diatoms in abundance. 1t is their char
acteristic color when found in masses
and a little of the material placed
under the microscope will reveal thou.
sands of them Or if fossil material il
needed, diatomaceous earth can be
found in almost every state of the
= Union, and almost every land or
= earth"
Dr. Albert Mann is the only Ameri
can investigator on record who hal
made a thorough study of these plan
J jewels.