Vor. WI] VAN DENBURGH—REPTILES—CHINA, JAPAN, FORMOSA 189 
is evidence that Sakhalin has been rather recently connected 
with continental Asia. The various islands of Japan proper 
bear evidence of having been joined not only with each other 
but also with Sakhalin and Korea by way of Iki and Tsushima. 
The Loo Choo Islands probably are quite old. The majority of 
their reptiles and amphibians apparently reached them from the 
south, doubtless by way of a continental connection of which 
the present island of Formosa formed a part. The northern 
islands, however, must sometime have been united with Japan 
proper; as is shown, for instance, by the presence of Eumeces 
barbourt. The islands of this group were doubtless all con- 
nected for a considerable period—long enough to develop 
specific differences, such as exist between Ewmeces marginatus 
and Eumeces elegans. Later they became separated into the 
various islands, and have had individual existence for a period 
long enough to permit subspecific, or in some instances specific, 
differentiation. The southern islands show the Formosan in- 
fluence upon their fauna more strongly than the central and 
northern islands. The major portion of Formosa is occupied 
by a reptilian fauna which is practically Chinese modified by 
time and isolation. Southern Formosa, however, bears evi- 
dence of a former connection with the Philippines by way of 
Botel Tobago—as is shown, for example, by Sphenomorphus 
boulengeri. 
From all this it would seem probable that this whole region 
has been gradually sinking; that formerly these various islands 
were united, as it were, into an enormous “barrier reef” off the 
whole eastern coast of Asia, and connected with that continent 
through Sakhalin, Korea and Formosa: that the Loo Choo 
portion of this “reef” then became separated from Japan, and 
later from Formosa; and that subsequent depression resulted 
in the present geographical conditions. Doubtless there have 
been minor elevations and depressions, more or less local in 
extent, resulting in temporary connections and isolations of 
portions of this area, and complicating the reading of the story 
in further detail. 
