We must, however, allow that Michel Ardan had "an idea," and that, without knowing it, he coincided in that respect with Julius Schmidt.
"Why," said he, "should not these unaccountable appearances be simply phenomena of vegetation?"
"What do you mean?" asked Barbicane quickly.
"Do not excite yourself, my worthy president,"replied Michel; "might it not be possible that the dark lines forming that bastion were rows of trees regularly placed?"
"You stick to your vegetation, then?" said Barbicane.