508 Transactions. 



of New Caledonian origin, and my own studies amply confirm this. I 

 hope to supply a detailed account of these later, but would state that they 

 differ totally from those of the Kermadecs, Norfolk Island, or New Zealand, 

 whilst they agree in much detail with New Caledonian land molluscs. 



My results are, — 



The Kermadec land Mollusca are few in species and very minute. The 

 few Zonitoids and comparative abundance of the " Endodonts," the absence 

 of Omphalotropis and Palaina whilst Tornatellinids are fairly abundant, 

 indicate the lack of any recent land connection, but suggest the recent 

 peopling of the group by means of drift. 



The nature of the molluscs incline the direction of the drift to be from 

 the north. The conclusion that the present land molluscs would force 

 the inclusion of the Kermadec ({roup under the term " Oceanic islands "' 

 would also suggest its inclusion in whatever biological region the other 

 groups favoured. The northward-drift tendency at once suggests Poly- 

 nesia, but the combined results of other studies favour New Zealand. If 

 the latter be accepted, the separation I have indicated elsewhere of the 

 group as a distinct province is amply confirmed by the criticism of the 

 land Mollusca. 



The Norfolk Island land Mollusca are numerous, varied in species and 

 genera ; they strongly indicate recent and practically undisturbed land 

 connection. The nature of the land molluscs, however, at once derides any 

 suggestion that this has been with either New Zealand or New Caledonia, 

 whilst it just as strongly formulates an immensely strong claim for this 

 to have been with the Fijian Group. 



The Lord Howe land Mollusca are fairly numerous in species and 

 genera, and many of large size ; they confirm recent land connection, and 

 leave no doubt as to its former attachment to New Caledonia, whilst thev 

 prohibit any land connection thereof with New Zealand. They will be 

 fully discussed later ; but, as far as land molluscs are concerned, there is 

 not the slightest reason for their quotation in favour of a Neozelanic con- 

 nection. I note this as they have been so affirmed by writers ignorant 

 of the two land molluscan faunas, and who have simply based their con- 

 jecture upon the occurrence of Placostylus on both islands, though every 

 other land mollusc plainly indicates the contrary. 



I am forwarding with this paper a series of land molluscs from Norfolk 

 Island to be deposited in the Auckland Museum, where those interested can 

 study them and criticize my assertions. 



