200 FOOT-NOTES TO EVOLUTION. 



distribution in every realm ; here appears an animal, 

 there a plant, which seems to have a character or place 

 which it ought not to hold. To the result of unexpected 



or chance crossing of barriers these ap- 

 Anomaliesm parent anomalies in geographical dis- 

 distnbution. 



tnbution are due. Anomalies in distribu- 

 tion, like anomalies in evolution, would cease to be such 

 if we knew all the facts and circumstances of their pre- 

 vious history. The present range of the tapir in farther 

 India and in the northern part of South America, two 

 widely separated regions, is at first sight an anomaly of 

 distribution. This anomaly disappears when we know 

 that formerly the tapir ranged over the holarctic realm, 

 and became gradually extinct with the changing climate. 

 The bones of a tapir, much like one of the South Amer- 

 ican species, are found in recent clays in Indiana (Elletts- 

 ville, Monroe County), and similar remains exist in 

 France, in China, and in Burmah. The isolated, unex- 

 terminated colonies are now left at the extreme of the 

 animal's former range, and these colonies at present 

 constitute what we call distinct species. 



The more extended are our studies the fewer are the 

 anomalies which arrest our attention, and the fewer are 



the distinctive or characteristic forms. 

 Adaptation of There is little foundation for the current 

 animals to envi- . . , . . . . , 



ronment belief that each species of animal has 



originated in the area it now occupies, for 

 in many cases our knowledge of palaeontology shows 

 the reverse of this to be true. Even more incorrect is 

 the belief that each species occupies the district or the 

 surroundings best fitted for its habitation. This is mani- 

 fest in the fact of the extraordinary fertility and persist- 

 ence shown by many kinds of animals and plants in 

 taking possession of new lands, which have become, 

 through the voluntary or involuntary interference of 



