302 Naturalist at Large 



which now characterizes them; while their fauna still 

 preserves a sufficient resemblance to that of Central 

 America to indicate its origin. 



Masterly as is the above resume of the status of conditions 

 in the region under discussion, we suspect that Dr. Wallace 

 would have written somewhat differently had he penned 

 these lines fifty years later. 



Another view resting solely on geological or physio- 

 graphical evidence is that presented by Dr. R. T. Hill, who 

 conducted investigations on the geographic relations of 

 the West Indies under the auspices of Mr. Agassiz. In an 

 article published in the Natiofial Geographic Magazine 

 (May 1896, 7, p. 181) he concludes with these words: — 



The Greater Antilles lie along the line of east-west 

 corrugations and apparently represent nodes of greater 

 elevation whereby the surfaces of these islands were 

 projected above the waters as islands, which have 

 persisted without continental connection or union 

 with each other since their origin. 



If we accept Mr. Hill's conclusion, which I for one cer- 

 tainly do not, it is impossible to account for a West Indian 

 flora and fauna except by riding to death the old theory 

 of "flotsam and jetsam." Ocean currents and prevailing 

 winds could hardly have carried Central American types 

 to any of the islands, as they work strongly in an opposing 

 direction. This fact alone serves to prove the utter im- 

 possibility of Hill's conclusion. Even were winds and cur- 

 rents favoring, we know now that the number of types 

 which will withstand a long submersion in sea water is 



