450 dr. f. b. white on the [May 7, 



originally connected with and peopled from Europe, although, also, 

 possibly connected at some period with Africa. More mature con- 

 sideration and subsequent researches hare confirmed my opinion." 

 Mr. Murray then goes on to point out how the fauna (as then known) 

 supported his conclusions as to its European origin. Of the flora he 

 writes : — "The general result which I draw from the whole flora is, 

 that we have here a compound flora, certainly two deep, possibly 

 three deep. We have, in the first place, I believe, a genuine natural 

 Atlantic (that is, European) flora ; for in the face of the decided 

 testimony given by the fauna, I cannot accept Dr. Roxburgh's con- 

 clusions as to the supposed introduction and naturalization of every 

 species having a European habitat. If they can be proved to have 

 been introduced, good and well ; but I object to take the thing to be 

 proved as part of the proof. And in the next place, I believe, we 

 have the traces of an older African flora (why I call it older I will 

 explain when I come to speak of an ancient connexion between 

 Patagonia and South Africa) ; and I believe that both are due to 

 actual continuity, however circuitous or interrupted,with the respective 

 countries the impress of whose floras they bear 



"Before leaving St. Helena, I have just one other argument to 

 adduce in support of its former connexion with the other Atlantic 

 Islands ; and that is, the fact (which has only recently been ascertained, 

 or, at any rate, only recently laid down in our maps) that there is a 

 long band of elevated submarine bottom running north from St. 

 Helena to the Cape-Verd Islands, and embracing in its course 

 Ascension Island and the shoal-ground on the equator." 



Subsequently Mr. Murray explains how, in his opinion, there 

 might have been a land connexion between Patagonia and the Cape 

 of Good Hope, " sending out perhaps arms to Tristan d'Acunha and 

 St. Helena, which, however, have the option of what, I think, is a 

 still more ancient union in another direction," namely from Brazil, 

 rounding, but not touching, the Cape of Good Hope to Madagascar. 

 To one or other of these connexions (presumably the first) are owing 

 "the score or so of plants left on St. Helena and Tristan d'Acunha, 

 and a slight sprinkling of microtypal forms which still subsist at the 

 Cape." 



I have now given the gist of what I have been able to find sug- 

 gested as to the origin of the flora and fauna of St. Heleua, and, be- 

 fore explaining my own views, will briefly recapitulate. 



The facts may be thus stated : — 



1. A volcanic island of very ancient origin, very remote from con- 

 tinental land or other islands, and surrounded by an ocean 1 2,000 

 feet in depth on almost every side. 



2. A terrestrial fauna and flora, the very great majority of the in- 

 digenous species comprising which are peculiar, and a marine fauna 

 with a large proportion of peculiar species. 



The various theories suggested for the peopling of this island 

 arrange themselves as follows : — 



1. Special creation and no special affinities. 



2. Land connexion with both Africa and America. 



