88 Capt. F. W. Hutton on the Geograijhical 



tralian grayling also [Prototroctes marcena) , although a distinct 

 species, much resembles our own (P. oxyrhynclius) ; and another 

 closely related genus {Hcq)lochiton) is found in South America. 



The genus Eleotris is widely spread in tropical countries. 

 Its head quarters are in the Indian archipelago ; and it ranges 

 west to Madagascar, east to Mexico and the West Indies, 

 north to Jajmn, and south to New Zealand, but is not found 

 in Africa. The nearest ally of our species {E. gohioides) is 

 E. obscura from Japan and China. 



The evidence, therefore, to be derived from the freshwater 

 fish goes to prove that a close connexion has existed between 

 Australia, New Zealand, and South America. The fact of 

 two species of the same genus of grayling being found in 

 Australia and New Zealand respectively, Avhile South America 

 is inhabited by a closely allied but distinct genus, indicates 

 either that our connexion with Australia was later than with 

 South America, or that in the old continent New Zealand and 

 Australia were inhabited by one, and South America by ano- 

 ther species of the same family. The freshwater fish also 

 prove that our connexion with the Chatham and Auckland 

 Islands was much later than with Australia. The distribution 

 of Anguilla latii'ostris, which is not found nearer than China*, 

 adds its testimony to that of Lotella and Ditrema of a former 

 connexion with that part of the world not by way of Australia ; 

 and we shall find that this remarkable connexion with China 

 and the Indian archipelago thus dimly shadowed out by the 

 fishes, gets stronger and stronger as we review the invertebrate 

 animals. 



MOLLUSCA. 



Of the New-Zealand Mollusca about 460 species are now 

 known, of which about one half are found nowhere else. 

 They show, as might be expected, a marked affinity with Aus- 

 tralia, but are still very distinct. We miss OliveUa, Vanikoro, 

 Eutropia^ Perna^ Trujonia^ and others ; while Mitra, Colum- 

 hella, Marginella, Nati'ca, Scala, Conus, Cgprcea, and Cardium 

 are very feebly represented with us. On the other hand, 

 Australia does not possess Buccinum ; and Fiisus, Imperator, 

 Purpura, Turritella, and Pecten are much less developed than 

 in New Zealand. As, however, the affinity is decided, I shall 

 here limit myself to pointing out our connexion \vith other 

 countries. 



Of Ceplialopoda we possess eleven species, only two of which 

 are peculiar to New Zealand. Oni/choteuthis Bartlingii, Om- 

 mastrephes Sloani, Nautilus pompilius, and Argo7iauta nodosa 



* Dr. Giinther has lately described A. ohscura, a closely allied species, 

 from the Fiji Islands. 



