XIV 



DISTRIBUTION 



C>2P, 



Thus, while the zoological resemblances between Great Britain 

 and the Continejit of Europe are so close as almost to amount to 

 itlentity, there is more ilitiercnce, zoologically speaking, between 

 New Zealand and Australia than between Europe and North 

 America, or between England and Japan. 



Fig. 1:230. — Map ^^llo\villg the shallow bank coiinectiiig tlio British Isles witlx 

 the continent. Tlie light tint iurticatos a doptli of loss than 100 fathoms ; 

 the figures show the depth in fathoms. (From Wallace.) 



The reason of this remarkable contrast is not far to seek. 

 Geologically speaking. Great Britain is a recently detached portion 

 of Europe, having been united with it during the latter part of 

 the Glacial period (Pleistocene), and, at the present moment, au 

 elevation of the bed of the English Channel to the amount of 

 2G0 feet, would bring about a re-union (Fig. 1239). Prior to this 



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