"Evidently. Moreover, the transition from vegetable to animal life is almost imperceptible, so much so, that polypi, such as corals and sponges, were for a long time supposed to be marine plants."
"And what are they?" inquired Willis.
"Insects that live in communities that form a multitude of contiguous cells; some of these are begun at the bottom of the sea and accumulated perpendicularly, one layer being continually deposited over another till the surface is reached."
"Then the coral reefs, that render navigation so perilous in unknown seas, are the work of insects?"
"Exactly so, Willis."
"Might they not as well consist of multitudes of insects piled heaps upon heaps?"
"It is in a great measure as you say, Willis."
"Not I—I do not say it—quite the contrary."
"Well, Willis, you are at liberty to believe it or not, as you think proper."
"I hope so; we shall, therefore, put the polypi with Ernest's stars and Jack's admirals."