ISOLATION 33 



occupy an island 1 . Now we can at once see that (if) 

 two parts of a continent isolated, new species thus 

 generated in them, would have closest affinities, like 

 cattle in counties of England : if barrier afterwards 

 destroyed one species might destroy the other or 

 both keep their ground. So if island formed near 

 continent, let it be ever so different, that continent 

 would supply inhabitants, and new species (like the 

 old) would be allied with that continent. An island 

 generally very different soil and climate, and number 

 and order of inhabitants supplied by chance, no 

 point so favourable for generation of new species 2 , 

 especially the mountains, hence, so it is. As isolated 

 mountains formed in a plain country (if such happens) 

 is an island. As other islands formed, the old species 

 would spread and thus extend and the fauna of dis- 

 tant island might ultimately meet and a continent 

 formed between them. No one doubts continents 

 formed by repeated elevations and depressions 3 . 

 In looking backwards, but not so far that all 

 geographical boundaries are destroyed, we can 

 thus at once see why existing forms are related to 

 the extinct in the same manner as existing ones are 

 in some part of existing continent. By chance we 

 might even have one or two absolute parent fossils. 



The detection of transitional forms would be 

 rendered more difficult on rising point of land. 



The distribution therefore in the above enumer- 



1 (The following notes occur on the back of the page.) Number of species 

 not related to capabilities of the country : furthermore not always those best 

 adapted, perhaps explained by creationists by changes and progress. (See 

 p. 34, note 1.) 



Although creationists can, by help of geology, explain much, how 

 can he explain the marked relation of past and present in same area, 

 the varying relation in other cases, between past and present, the relation 

 of different parts of same great area. If island, to adjoining continent, if 

 quite different, on mountain summits, the number of individuals not 

 being related to capabilities, or how &c. our theory, I believe, can throw 

 much light and all facts accord. 



2 See Origin, Ed. i. p. 390, vi. p. 543. 



3 On oscillation see Origin, Ed. i. p. 291, vi. p. 426. 



D. 



