The Antarctic 



might be wafted from Fuegia to New Zealand and 

 thence back again to Fuegia if wind is ever capable 

 of blowing seeds over such enormous distances as 

 these. 



The far-ranging albatross has been actually suggested 

 to explain the distribution of Gentiana prostrata, and 

 certainly if one is obliged to trust to such forms of 

 transports, the mud on the plumage or feet of birds is 

 by far the most probable explanation. 



On the Snares islands, Mr. Cockayne ® seems to think 

 that the winds, penguins, and sea-lions have greatly in- 

 fluenced the distribution of the flora, but he refers 

 rather to the destructive effect of the wallowing of the 

 sea-lions, or the violent gales which only the tussock 

 grass can withstand. 



Unfortunately for this theory there are several awk- 

 ward facts connected with the plants in question. 

 Compositae, as we all know, are mostly carried by wind, 

 and most of them possess the beautiful parachute-like 

 crown of hairs which is specially designed for this 

 purpose. But if so, why should six of the composites 

 in this particular series be entirely without wind-hairs ? 

 These, in not possessing a pappus at all, are unusual 

 exceptions to the general rule in that family ! The 

 mast of the Antarctic beech has wings, but the flying 

 arrangement is small and strikes one as totally incap- 

 able of carrying its nuts over the Pacific Ocean. 



Fortunately the third theory has much to recom- 

 mend it, and would unquestionably explain all the facts 

 in a satisfactory way. 



Grahamland is connected with Patagonia by a sub- 

 marine ridge which forms a great arch extending be- 

 tween Cape Horn and the South Shetland islands. The 

 tertiary mountain chain of the Andes seems also to 

 reappear in Grahamland. Indeed an elevation of only 

 100 fathoms would unite all the islands off the west 



103 



