xxix] LITERARY WORK, ETC, 1871-1886 101 



than the average, and therefore that less time is required for 

 this change than has hitherto been thought necessary. I was 

 also, I believe, the first to point out the great differences 

 between the more ancient continental islands and those of 

 more recent origin, with the interesting conclusions as to 

 geographical changes afforded by both ; while the most 

 important novelty is the theory by which I explained the 

 occurrence of northern groups of plants in all parts of the 

 southern hemisphere — a phenomenon which Sir Joseph 

 Hooker had pointed out, but had then no means of explaining. 



This volume, on "Island Life," involved much detailed 

 work as regards the species of plants and animals, information 

 on which points I had to obtain from numerous specialists, 

 involving a great amount of correspondence ; while it was 

 illustrated by a large number of maps and diagrams, most 

 of which were drawn by myself. The preparation and writing 

 this book occupied me for about three years, and it was 

 published in 1880. It has gone through three editions, which 

 have involved a large amount of corrections and additions ; 

 and it is a work which seems to have opened up a new world 

 of interesting fact and theory to a large number of readers, 

 from several of whom I have received letters expressing the 

 delight and instruction it has given them. 



In 1878 I wrote a volume on Australasia for Stanford's 

 " Compendium of Geography and Travel," in which I gave 

 a fuller account than usual of the physical geography, the 

 natural history, and the geology of Australia. In a later 

 edition of this work, in 1893, I gave a much fuller account of 

 the natives of Australia, and adduced evidence for the theory 

 that they are really a primitive type of the great Caucasian 

 family of mankind, and are by no means so low in intellect 

 as has been usually believed. This view seems now to be 

 generally accepted. 



In 1878 Epping Forest had been acquired for the public, 

 and its care and management were given to a committee 

 formed mainly of members of the Corporation of the City of 

 London. I was a candidate for the post of superintendent, 

 and obtained testimonials from the presidents of all the 



