Dhtribiition of Moths of the Suh-jamily Bistonince . 291 



genus Epacris itself ; it may be found in New Caledonia, 

 Australia, and New Zealand, as is also the case with the allied 

 genus Dracophyllum. And these two are not isolated examples ; 

 scores of genera equally satisfactory will serve to weld this 

 chain. 



Thus, in the plethora of instances quoted, we have abundant 

 proof that a passage from Japan to New Zealand existed via 

 New Caledonia, whence a branch struck off to Australia. 



Obviously, the continued existence of a route of this type 

 midst volcanic surroundings would be very precarious and 

 always unstable, never probably quite continuous at one 

 time, and thus presenting to creatures attempting to use it 

 enormous difficulties. Nevertheless, the bridge afforded similar 

 facilities, to a less extent, but still parallel to those offered by 

 the Central Plateau of Africa and by the Rocky Mountains and 

 Andes of America. Furthermore, the opportunities were to 

 all intents and purposes restricted to organisms of the same 

 physiological character, i.e., those delighting in cold, temperate, 

 Alpine, or Subalpine habitats. 



By this attenuated basaltic chain, therefore, the Coppers of 

 the genus Chrysophanus passed to Australia, Tasmania, and 

 New Zealand, as did likewise the Erebice, the Water Crowfoot 

 {Ranunciilns aquatilis) and the various grasses named above 

 (than which no better hall-mark of the quality of the passage 

 can be obtained). Lastly, by its means Lophodes sinistraria, 

 typically and purely Bistonine in its antennae and genitalia — 

 nay, evidencing in both a close affinity with the base of the 

 Lycia-Palceonyssia stem — colonised Australia when as yet that 

 continent was united to Tasmania, for as a peninsula the 

 latter had been occupied before the rollers of the Pacific had 

 carved for themselves the Bass Straits. 



That few representatives of the temperate forms find a 

 place in New Caledonia and the adjoining islands cannot be 

 wondered at. Relativelv lower now, and situated only 20° 

 from the Equator what forms have managed to prolong their 

 existence there have long since by transformations of diverse 

 degrees and types resulted in species helping to swell the huge 

 masses of endemic genera, species and even orders that the 

 island possesses ; and in an analogous way, but to a less 

 extent, like forces have been at work in Australia. 



Evolution of this nature, added to the narrow and upland 

 character of the bridge, tells us with no uncertain voice why 

 the remnants of the migrating forms are now so few in number 

 and further, from the latter feature, we gather why the higher 

 groups of both animals and plants are not included, although 

 the isolated Australian Bustard [Otis australis) may indi- 

 cate a successful attempt of one such organism to force the 

 passage. 



1918 Sept. 1. 



