CHAPTER V 



A GLIMPSE INTO THE PAST 



The geographical distribution of animals and plants. Survival 

 of ancient types in Australia and Tasmania. The derivation 

 of the Austrahan fauna. Temperate and Alpine forms. 

 Connexion with South America and New Zealand through 

 an Antarctic continent. Separation of Tasmania from 

 AustraUa. Special Tasmanian problems. 



The study of the geographical distribution of 

 animals and plants over the face of the globe, 

 by which an attempt is made to trace out their 

 place of origin and the migrations they have 

 performed in the past, constitutes not only one 

 of the most fascinating chapters in the historical 

 treatment of the theory of evolution, but also 

 throws an interesting light on the geographical 

 and physical changes which have taken place in 

 various parts of the world. But this study, 

 involving as it must an extended knowledge of 

 living creatures of all sorts, in many cases in- 

 habiting the most distant and inaccessible coun- 

 tries, and also some acquaintance with their past 

 history, as revealed by fossil remains, is neces- 

 sarily a modern study which still suffers from a lack 

 of exhaustive data on which to base any far- 

 reaching generalization. And before any certain 

 conclusions can be arrived at, we should have at 

 our disposal as valid criteria as possible for deter- 



