CHAPTER VII 



FAUNA OF TflE ANDAMANS AND NICOBARS 



Previous to entering into any details of the fauna of the Anda- 

 mans and Nicobars, a glance at the depths of the surrounding 

 ocean is interesting, and to a great extent explanatory of the 

 peculiarities occurring in both groups : it is well known that the 

 soundings of the adjacent seas clearly indicate the extent of time 

 during which masses of land have been isolated, and the facts 

 of this case seem to fully explain the variation and numerous 

 peculiarities of the local fauna. 



Preparis Island is situated at the tail of a lOO-fathom (to be 

 more particular, 50-fathom) bank projecting from the Arakan Yoma 

 Peninsula. It is continental in its fauna, and possesses monkeys 

 and squirrels. 



Between it and the Cocos Islands is a depth of 150 

 fathoms. 



The Andaman group, from Cocos to Little Andaman (except 

 the South Sentinel, which is isolated), all stand on a lOO-fathom 

 bank (actually 50 fathoms). 



All these are connected by a 200-fathom line with the Arakan 

 Yoma Peninsula. 



Narkondam and Barren Island both rise from a sea approach- 

 ing 1000 fathoms in depth. 



The Andamans and Nicobars are separated by a channel with 

 depths of 600 fathoms. 



Soundings about the Nicobars are at present very incomplete, 



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