EVIDENCES FROM GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION 



103 



formed by nature for the particular purpose of supplying naturalists 

 with a crucial test between the theories of creation and evolution. 

 The material upon which my analysis is to be based will be derived 

 from the most recent works upon geographical distribution — espe- 

 cially from the magnificent contributions to this department of science 

 which we owe to the labours of Mr. Wallace. Indeed, all that follows 

 may be regarded as a condensed filtrate of the facts which he has 

 collected. Even as thus restricted, however, our subject matter 

 would be too extensive to be dealt with on the present occasion, 

 were we to attempt an exhaustive analysis of the floras and faunas 

 of all oceanic islands upon the face of the globe. Therefore, what I 

 propose to do is to select for such exhaustive analysis a few of what 

 may be termed the most oceanic of oceanic islands — that is to say, 

 those oceanic islands which are most widely separated from main- 

 lands, and which, therefore, furnish the most unquestionable of 

 test cases as between the theories of special creation and genetic 

 descent. 



Azores. — A group of volcanic islands, nine in number, about goo 

 miles from the coast of Portugal, and surrounded by ocean depths of 

 1,800 to 2,500 fathoms. There is geological evidence that the origin 

 of the group dates back at least as far as Miocene times. There is a 

 .total absence of all terrestrial Vertebrata, other than those which are 

 known to have been introduced by man. Fly ing anim als, on the 

 other hand, are abundant : namely, 53 species of birds, one species of 

 bat, a few species of butterflies, moths and hymenoptera, with 74 

 species of indigenous beetles. All these animals are unmodified 

 European species, with the exception of one bird and many of the 

 beetles. Of the 74 indigenous species of the latter, 36 are not found 

 in Europe; but 19 are natives of Madeira or the Canaries, and 3 are 

 American, doubtless transplanted by drift-wood. The remaining 14 

 species occur nowhere else in the world, though for the most part 

 they are allied to other European species. There are 69 known 

 species of land-shells, of which 37 are European, and 32 peculiar, 

 though all allied to European forms. Lastly, there are 480 known 

 species of plants of which 40 are peculiar, though allied to European 

 species. 



Bermudas. — A small volcanic group of islands, 700 miles from 

 North Carolina. Athough there are about 100 islands in the group, 

 their total area does not exceed 50 square miles. The group is sur- 

 rounded by water varying in depth from 2,500 to 3,800 fathoms. The 



