LXXXIV. A letter from Mr. John Ellis, F. R. S. to Mr. Peter Collinson, F. R. S. concerning the animal life of those coral-lines, that look like minute trees, and grow upon oysters and fucus's all round the sea-coast of this Kingdom.

Sir, The doubts, that I find still remain on the minds of many curious and learned men of the animal nature of corallines, on account of their beautiful ramifications, and regular plant-like appearances, determin'd me to persuade our ingenious friend, Mr. Ehret, to accompany me to the sea-side, that he might there be an eye-witness of what I had advanced to you, and many other worthy members of the Society; and to make exact drawings of the several different objects, as they appear'd to him thro' the microscope.