V. On the Fauna of Japan. 



By 



ToKio Kabuiiaki, D. Sc, 



Professor of Zoology, Tokyo Imperial University. 



The proLlem of the origin of tlie fauna of Japan is of great 

 importance on account of its bearing upon many questions relating to 

 the Pacific. To permit a clear and satisfactory solution, however, the 

 present state of our knowledge is not yet sufficient ; consequently I 

 feel that I can fulfil the duty which has fallen upon me in no better 

 way than by offering a concise summary of the facts at present known 

 of the fauna of this countiy. 



As is well known, the Japanese archipelago consists of three series 

 of island arcs, forming as a whole a barrier oft' the eastern coast of 

 the Asiatic continent. It has a great extension in latitude as well as 

 in longitude, facing the depressed seas of Okhotsk, Ja];)an and East 

 China to the west, and the mighty oceanic basin of the Pacific to the 

 east, and enjoys the paramount influence of two oceanic cuiTents of 

 different temperatures. Its variety in climate and other conditions 

 tend to give variety and richness to the fauna of its lands and seas. 



Organised scientific research first took form in Japan with the 

 Kestoration of the Emperor to his full power in 1868. Before that 

 time the study of zoology had prospered less, as compared with that of 

 botany, and was probably similar in method and aim to that of the 

 middle ages in Europe. It appears to have concerned itself mostly with 

 making commentaries on Clnnese works of natural history, like the 

 " Honzo Komoku." Excepting a little on birds, fishes, and some 

 other groups, practically no work that can be called scientific in any 

 modern sense seems to have been accomplished. Nevertheless this 



