xii CONTENTS 



fresh-water crabs and their dispersal The European element in 

 the fauna of Central America On discontinuous distribution 

 of animals as a proof of their antiquity .... 233-260 



CHAPTER XI 



THE WEST INDIAN ISLANDS AND THEIR INHABITANTS 



The geology of the Antilles Palaeography as illustrated by the dis- 

 tribution of snails Antiquity and dispersal of snails, their 

 relationship and European affinities On the theory of the 

 ancient Atlantis The problem of the supposed permanence of 

 ocean basins The marine mammals of the Antilles and their 

 origin Evidences iu favour of a mid-Atlantic land bridge- 

 The terrestrial mammals of the West Indian islands Evidences 

 of former changes of level in the Antillean area The blind 

 animals of Cuba On the ancient Antillean continent . 261-294 



CHAPTER XII 



THE FAUNA AND FLORA OF THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS 



Darwin's visit to the islands and his views on the origin of their 

 animals and plants On accidental dispersal The birds, 

 tortoises and snails of the Galapagos islands Origin of the 

 flora Baur's criticisms of Darwin's views Euphorbia and 

 its past history Conclusions as to the origin of the Galapagos 

 fauna The geological history of the Pacific Ocean On the 

 supposed former Pacific continent Mr. Guppy's researches 

 Coral reefs and their history A circum-Pacific land belt 

 Evidences of ancient lands westward of Central America On 

 faunistic affinities between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans 

 The Humboldt current 295-335 



CHAPTER XIII 



THE ANIMALS OF THE NORTH-WESTERN STATES OF SOUTH AMERICA 



The geological history of South America The faunal elements of 

 the continent Palaeontology Course of development of the 

 continent during the Tertiary Era Peripatus and its distribu- 

 tion in South America On the origin of Clausilia and its 

 relations The South American bear On the tapirs and their 

 origin The dwarf deer of South America On the supposed 

 existence of former land connections Derivation and history 

 of the fossil elephants The river Amazon . . . 336-362 



