286 SPENCER MOORE [ocToBER 1899 
maintaining that the evolution of the existing floras from the tertiary 
flora was effected through differentiation of climate—and this, I 
venture to think, has been a main cause of floral diversity—dismisses 
as “absurd” the doctrine that certain floristic identities and affinities 
between regions now separated by the ocean are to be explained on 
the hypothesis of a former land-connection between them. I believe 
such land-connections to have existed, and, indeed, the present 
distribution of animals vouches for the truth of the theory. But until 
we know a great deal more than is at present known about the 
floras of any two countries previous to their being placed in continuity, 
I fail to see the possibility of estimating, except as mere guess-work, the 
respective effects upon the two floras so connected. Further, I believe 
the inferences from present distribution and from floristic superiority 
and inferiority upon which the current notions as to the origin of the 
Australian flora are founded, to be in the highest degree misleading. 
So facile a solution of the problem may commend itself to some; but 
it may be that many an observer will have to add his contributions of 
fact and suggestion before the final solution is reached; and if the 
notions here propounded, though they should fail to find acceptance, 
should at least drive home the conviction that much yet remains to be 
done in this fascinating field of research, the writer’s object will have 
been fully attained. 
