i8 93 . ANTARCTICA. 57 



Mr. Forbes has independently arrived at views very similar to 

 those expressed by Professor L. Rutimeyer in 1867 in his work, 

 " Ueber die Herkunft unserer Thierwelt : eine zoogeographische 

 Skizze " ; and several geologists, notably Dr. W. T. Blanford, have 

 discussed some of the more important problems involved. We have, 

 however, compiled a concise synopsis of Mr. Forbes' latest arguments 

 in favour of the theory of " Antarctica " (based upon the known 

 distribution of certain animals and plants), because the sum-total of 

 the evidence is now so much greater than it has been heretofore ; 

 and such marked progress has been made in investigating the geology 

 of the Southern Hemisphere during recent years, that it seems profit- 

 able to re-open the question from the geologist's point of view once 

 more. Zoologists and botanists will welcome the expression of the 

 latest views of those who are acquainted with the physical considera- 

 tions bearing upon the subject. 



