Radiolaria

Nope. Nothing to do with radios. Radiolaria are ancient, single-celled, marine organisms. There are 5000 species and each one builds its own unique style of protective 'shell'. There is an amazing array of configurations. Many are round and are fabulous mandalas. Others seem like nature creating 3D strings and patterns.

Go here to see a wonderful eight minute trailer for the film Proteus, a documentary concerning the life, work, and philosophy of Ernst Haeckel, a 19th century naturalist who documented 4000 of the 5000 species of radiolaria. The film uses many of his detailed engravings. The trailer shows a great many of these images. They zip by at lightning speed, but it's a good show. See more of his engravings of radiolaria here.

I'm going to borrow this film from my library.