286 SPENCER MOORE [october 1899 



maintaining that the evolution of the existing floras from the tertiary 

 flora was effected through differentiation of climate — and this, I 

 venture to think, has been a main cause of floral diversity — dismisses 

 as " absurd " the doctrine that certain floristic identities and affinities 

 between regions now separated by the ocean are to be explained on 

 the hypothesis of a former land-connection between them. I believe 

 such land -connections to have existed, and, indeed, the present 

 distribution of animals vouches for the truth of the theory. But until 

 we know a great deal more than is at present known about the 

 floras of any two countries previous to their being placed in continuity, 

 I fail to see the possibility of estimating, except as mere guess-work, the 

 respective effects upon the two floras so connected. Further, I believe 

 the inferences from present distribution and from floristic superiority 

 and inferiority upon which the current notions as to the origin of the 

 Australian flora are founded, to be in the highest degree misleading. 

 So facile a solution of the problem may commend itself to some ; but 

 it may be that many an observer will have to add his contributions of 

 fact and suggestion before the final solution is reached ; and if the 

 notions here propounded, though they should fail to find acceptance,, 

 should at least drive home the conviction that much yet remains to be 

 done in this fascinating field of research, the writer's object will have 

 been fully attained. 



