172 1*HE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



of the action of the total environment upon what was once the same un- 

 distinguishable form. The element in our Moths which has its affinity 

 with the European and Siberian fauna, must be traced back to the time 

 when the species were througliout the same and inhabited a common 

 territory. 



Let us turn back to the other theory, that of a submerged Atlantic 

 Continent. Whatever may be finally proven by geology as to the exist- 

 ence of such an Atlantic bridge, it is clear that the myth of the Atlantis, 

 cited to support the theory, must be separated from such facts as being of 

 recent and even historic origin. Primitive Man existed ?eons before the 

 notions which were worked into the poetic and semi-historical myth of 

 the Hesperides and Atlantides. The setting sun was followed by human 

 eyes for untold ages, as it bathed itself in the golden flush of evening and 

 sank behind the purple veil of clouds into an ocean whose waters were at 

 first believed to surround the circular, flat earth. The sun was the golden 

 apple of the garden of the Hesperides, the Golden Fleece after which 

 Jason sailed. The poets transformed the primitive notions into charming 

 myths, which probably had their origin in the observation of low-lying 

 clouds, floating, like islands, in a sun-flushed western sky. In this region 

 of conjecture and romance it is excusable to take to rhyme : 



A TLANTIS. 



The western sky is all ablaze, 



And, floating on that golden sea, 

 The clouds, like islands in a maze, 



Blest dwelling-places seem to be. 



When first this sight was viewed by man, 



He thought the earth was flat, not round ; 

 That all about its rim there ran 



An ocean which the land did bound. 



The poet in those early days 



Immortalized the sun-flushed seas ; 

 He peopled those far slopes and bays, 



And called the isles Atlantides. 



And so the legend grew until 



The clouds in evening's dreamy light. 

 With which the poet showed his skill. 



Had vanished from the mental sight ; 



