338 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION D. 
and to South America. I am aware that Captain Hutton 
has expressed the opinion that ‘“‘New Zealand was always 
separated from Antarctica by a deep, broad channel south 
of the Macquaries,”’ but I must throw in my vote with those 
who, like Forbes, Spencer, Hedley, and others, believe in a 
direct land connection, either in very early Tertiary, or, per- 
haps, in pre-Tertiary times. 
At or about this period the South American continent of 
the time (Archiplata, of Von Jhering) represented by what 
we know as Chili and Patagonia, was connected by the ele- 
vation of Fuegia, Falkland Island, and the various 
islands between it and Graham’s Land, with Antarctica. 
About this continuity little doubt is expressed, but the 
junction of the Antarctic continent with South Africa, or, 
as formulated by Forbes, with Madagascar, has met with a 
good deal of scepticism. 
In order to effect this continuity, an elevation of the sea- 
bottom through a height of about 2000 fathoms, 2.e., 12,000 
feet, appears to be necessary. It is true that the Challenger 
made but few soundings hereabouts, and I have not had an 
opportunity of studying those of the Valdivia, though Mr. 
Louis Bernacchi, in his book on the Southern Cross Expedi- 
tion to the Antarctic region, gives a map, indicating ap- 
parently the soundings obtained by this ship; but whether 
the demand is exorbitant or not, it appears to be necessary 
to make it, in order to explain the presence in Madagascar 
of Notiodrilus, and, in South Africa, of two Patagonian 
genera of earthworms—Wotiodrilus and Chilota. 
The absence of Chilota in New Zealand seems to indicate 
that Antipodea had been cut off from Antarctica before the 
South African connection had terminated. 
The Acanthodrilids, having entered South America, soon 
wandered northwards, peopling “ Archiplata” with char- 
acteristic Acanthodrilid descendants, amongst which Yagan- 
sia and Microscolex may be mentioned. And at a later 
period, in the middle Tertiary, when the Southern and 
Northern continents became continuous, these descendants 
passed as far north as Mexico, and the Acanthodrilid stock 
gave rise to several other genera now characteristic of the 
Nearctic region. But I may mention that both Brazil and 
Central America, as well as Mexico, are inhabited by 
members of quite a distinct family of earthworms. So, in 
Africa, the offspring of the ancestral Votiodrilus, wandering 
into warmer climates, have given rise to Benhamia and other 
allied genera, both on the east and on the west coast, and 
have ultimately peopled the continent with a set of worms 
