168 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION C. 
resemblances, while im the case of the corais the re 
semblances were quite superficial, and the Australian species 
were generically, or even ordinarily, distmmct. (Htheridge im 
de Koninck, 98.) Specific identities de undoubtedly dceur, 
especially among the focsils of ti.e older formations, but they 
are not in overwhelming numbers. : 
A.. ©. Seward (Seward, ‘00, p. 303) says—“The com- 
parison of the English plants with the Upper Gondwana 
flora of India, and with Australian floras of corresponding 
geological position, has confirmed me in the opinion that the 
differences between the Mesozoic vegetation of the Northern 
and Southern Hemispheres have been greatly exaggerated. 
Geographical separation of fossil species frequently leads to 
an unnecessary amount of specific distinction in the naming 
and determination of plants . . . Im Jurassic times 
there was, no doubt, a much greater uniformity in the 
vegetation of the world than exists at the present day. 
A closer analysis of the Gondwana floras and a more detailed 
comparison with those of the Northern Hemisphere may 
enable us to recognise well-defined distinguishing features. 
suggestive of botanical provinces, such as existed in-the 
Lower Gondwana period; but this is a matter for subsequent 
treatment.” 
The belief of Baron von Ettingshausen in a universal 
Tertiary flora is well known (von Ettingshausen, ’83), and 
he derived much support of his view from bis investigations 
of the Tertiary fossil plants of Australia. It must, however, 
now be generally conceded that Mr. Henry Deane (Deane, 
’96,’97,’00, ’01} has shown that the whole idea is a mistaken 
one, aud rests on the comparison of our fossils with European 
recent forms, instead of with those now actually growing in 
Australia. ur Tertiary flora, in fact, proves te have been 
as typically Australian as anything we have at the present 
day. 
There remains yet another asserted case of a cosmopolitan 
fauna which we may consider, and this is the one suggested 
by Murray and advocated by Pfeffer, in order to explain 
Bipolarity in the Distribution of Ahimais. 
& 
A 
fa. 
Tus Brrotar THEORY. 
it is stated that there are large numbers of animals of 
various groups present in the seas of high northern and 
southern latitudes which are absent im the intervening 
tropical regions, and thie is explained by the supposition ofa 
universal early Tertiary fauna. But opinions differ both as 
