PSYCHEDELIC DIATOMS

Credits/links for images above, from top to bottom:

1) Image: Argonne National Laboratory at Flickr 
2) Image: Kenneth M. Bart (many more of his gorgeous microscopy images)
3) Image: via 
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5) Image: Stinging Eyes at Flickr 
6) Image: via  
7) Image: via
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9) Image: via  
10) Image: Piotr Rotkiewicz (more of his outrageous beauties)

11) Image: via

Image: via.

Diatom /ˈdaɪətɑːm/ 

From Greek diatomos = cut in two. Named because they typically appear to be cut in half.

Diatoms are microscopic algae composed of separate halves, with delicate siliceous cell walls. They're usually single-celled organisms, though some live colonially. They inhabit fresh and salt waters and are among the most abundant of all phytoplankton.

Below are a few examples of diatom art—practiced since Victorian times—of arranging diatoms pleasingly. Thanks, freaky Victorians! Thanks, microscopes!

Credits/links for images above, from top to bottom

i) Image: Klaus D. Kemp

ii) Image: via

iii) Image: Wipeter, courtesy Wikipedia Commons

iv) Image: via

v) Image: Montana Diatoms