ANCIENT LAND CONNECTIONS 
289 
of these are peculiar to the group. And yet in spite of this 
feature, in spite of the fact that two kinds of mammals live on 
the islands, and that numerous mollusks and other inverte¬ 
brates are quite confined to the Bahamas, we often read the 
statement that the fauna of these islands is entirely a product 
of accidental transport by winds, waves or human agency. 
How little influenced the Antilles are by accidental intro¬ 
ductions is well shown by a study of such groups as the 
dragon-flies and their allies (Neuroptera and Pseudoneu- 
roptera), and the butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera). If 
winds played any active part in their dispersal, we should 
find many species from North America in the Greater Antilles, 
whereas the affinities agree almost precisely with those of 
the other animals already considered. Several genera of 
dragon-flies, known hoth'from North and South America, such 
as Chauliodes, Corydalis, Mantispa and others, are wanting 
in the West Indian islands, thus showing that the migration 
between the two continents did not take place across the 
Antillean area. The great majority of the genera are South 
or Central American. Only two genera of dragon-flies are con¬ 
fined to the Antilles. On the other hand, many continental 
ones are absent. The Lesser Antilles contain some South 
American species which are wanting in the Greater Antilles.* 
Similarly the Lepidoptera exhibit affinities with northern 
South America, Central America and Florida. Several cha¬ 
racteristically southern families, nevertheless, are wanting in 
the Antilles. The four large islands are characterised by the 
absence of many neotropical genera, and the presence of a 
genus and many species that are peculiar to them. Jamaica 
shows some special features of interest.f 
The birds exhibit similar peculiarities in their geographical 
distribution. One whole family, the todies (Toditae), are con¬ 
fined to the larger islands of Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti and Por- 
torico. They bear a certain resemblance to the kingfishers, 
but differ in colour, whereas in habits and shape of bill they 
resemble the flycatchers. In reality they are related to the 
Central American motmots. We also have the same striking 
* Ivolbe, H. J., “ Neuroptera und Pseudoneuroptera d. Antillen,” 
pp. 154—161. 
t Pagenstecher, A., “ Verbreitung der Schmetterlinge,” pp. 391—394. 
L.A. U 
