29G 



CHAPTER XLII. 



REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF MAMMALS. 



IIaving completed our survey of the range of the different groups of Mammals, let us now briefly see 

 what light the facts throw on their regional distribution. 



Most of my views on this subject have been anticipated ; a brief summary of the results 

 therefore is all that will be acquired. 



Before stating mj^ own conclusions, however, as each branch of organic life reflects light upon 

 the others, it will, no doubt, be satisfactory to the reader to be reminded of those which have been 

 arrived at by others, not only regarding the mammals, but also in the other branches of zoology 

 and in botany. 



Various authors have endeavoured to embody the differences beween the Faimas and Floras of 

 the different regions of the globe, into some land of system ; but, althoiigh I shall not occupy the 

 time of the reader with a recapitulation of the opinions of any but the most eminent men in 

 recent times who have paid attention to the subject, it will be seen that even they, with one or 

 two exceptions, have worked upon no definite principle, and the result has been a mere catalogue 

 of regions which possess peculiarities without distinguishing their relative importance, or their 

 relation to each other. 



The authors whose opinions I shall cite are, Schraarda for General Zoology, Sclater for Birds, 

 "Woodward for Molluscs, and Schow, Meyen, Decandolle, and Hooker, for Botany ; limiting, however, 

 my notice to the mere geographical extent of their proposed regions. 



Schmarda divides the dry land into the following twenty-one zoological regions : — 



1. The Polar land, or the region of fur-bearing animals and aquatic birds. 



2. Mid-Europe region : the country of Insectivores, Carabidce, and Staphylinida?. 



3. The Caspian Steppes : region of the iSaiga Antelope, and of the Spalflax and Siphneus. 



4. Central Upper Asia : region of Horses. 



5. Mediterranean district : region of Heteromera. 



6. China : region of Pheasants. 



7. Japan : region of terrestrial Salamanders. 



8. North America : region of Rodents and Conirostres. 



0. The Sahai-a : region of the Melasomata and the African Ostrich. 



10. West Africa : region of the Catarrhinc Monkeys and the Termites. 



11. Upper Africa : region of the Ruminants and Pachydermata. 



12. Madagascar : region of the Lemuridae. 



13. India : region of the Carnlvora and Piffcons. 



