THE GLACIAL RANGE COXTRACTION, ETC. 141 



are concerned, that of Hibernia is very poor in Scan- 

 dinavian — and by inference Scotch — tjpes. Again, 

 Professor Geikie supposes that the temperate mammals 

 as well as many alpine forms of plants, etc., reached 

 Ireland via the west of Scotland, when a broad land 

 connection existed between the two areas, — but what 

 evidence, I ask, is presented by birds, creatures even of 

 flight to which a water barrier seems ineffectual, that 

 any such line of extension was followed ? None, abso- 

 lutely none whatever ! As we have already had abun- 

 dant and convincing proof, and hope still to have more, 

 the emigration of birds to our area has been from the 

 south, south-east, or east ; not a single species has 

 entered it during Post-Glacial time from the north, nor 

 increased its range across it from that direction. One is 

 astounded to read of Professor Geikie insisting upon a 

 descent into Ireland of alpine forms from Scotland to 

 account for their scanty presence in that country. Rather 

 must we look upon these types as relics, not as the result 

 of abortive and abnormal emigration, but of the domi- 

 nant flora that in early Post-Glacial time held the land 

 until a changing climate destroyed its predominance : 

 relics I may say that to my mind beyond all doubt 

 demonstrate that St. Georges Channel and the English 

 Channel were dry land when the Post-Glacial Emigra- 

 tion north of the earliest flora and fauna took place. 

 It is impossible to have a southward extension of range 

 progressing concurrently with an amelioration of climate. 

 The very fact that species are advancing north with 

 favourable conditions north of them, and, of course, in 

 many cases, by inference, less favourable conditions 

 south of them, is a fatal objection to any such line of 



