no MOSTLY MAMMALS 



subsequently given a doubtful position ; and his views 

 have been followed by most later writers. Recently, how- 

 ever, several writers have come to the conclusion that it 

 should be included in the Oriental region. 



A glance at the map will show that Celebes is an island 

 of very peculiar and unusual shape. It consists of an 

 irregular central region, from which are given off four 

 still more irregular peninsulas, of which the one running 

 in the direction of the Moluccas is considerably the largest. 

 Its general outline is more like that frequently assumed 

 by an amoeba than anything else, and it is quite clear from 

 this remarkable shape that the island is situated in a 

 subsiding area, and once formed a portion of a much 

 larger land-mass. From the peculiarity of its animals it 

 is evident that Celebes has existed as an island since an 

 epoch comparatively remote; and the question naturally 

 arises whether its last connection was with Borneo and 

 the other Malay islands, or with Ceram and New Guinea. 

 In a question of this nature the depth of the surrounding 

 seas has, of course, a most important bearing. 



Putting, however, the evidence of soundings on one side, 

 we may endeavour to find out how much light the animals 

 of Celebes are capable of throwing on the problem. 



Those of my readers who have any acquaintance with 

 the geographical 'distribution of animals, are probably aware 

 that no marsupials at all are found to the westward of 

 Celebes, and that to the eastward of that island monkeys 

 are quite unknown ; while hoofed animals are represented 

 only by a deer in Timor and a second in the Moluccas, 

 and likewise by a semi-wild pig in Ceram and another in 

 New Guinea. In fact, the quadrupeds of the Australasian 

 region, with these exceptions, consist exclusively of egg- 

 laying mammals, marsupials, and various peculiar kinds of 



