The Antarctic 
might be wafted from Fuegia to New Zealand and 
thence back again to Fuegia if wind is ever capable 
of blowing seeds over such enormous distances as 
these. 
The far-ranging albatross has been actually suggested 
to explain the distribution of Gentiana prostrata, and 
certainly if one is obliged to trust to such forms of 
transports, the mud on the plumage or feet of birds is 
by far the most probable explanation. 
On the Snares islands, Mr. Cockayne ® seems to think 
that the winds, penguins, and sea-lions have greatly in- 
fluenced the distribution of the flora, but he refers 
rather to the destructive effect of the wallowing of the 
sea-lions, or the violent gales which only the tussock 
grass can withstand. 
Unfortunately for this theory there are several awk- 
ward facts connected with the plants in question. 
Compositz, as we all know, are mostly carried by wind, 
and most of them possess the beautiful parachute-like 
crown of hairs which is specially designed for this 
purpose, But if so, why should six of the composites 
in this particular series be entirely without wind-hairs ? 
These, in not possessing a pappus at all, are unusual 
exceptions to the general rule in that family! The 
mast of the Antarctic beech has wings, but the flying 
arrangement is small and strikes one as totally incap- 
able of carrying its nuts over the Pacific Ocean. 
Fortunately the third theory has much to recom- 
mend it, and would unquestionably explain all the facts 
in a satisfactory way. 
Grahamland is connected with Patagonia by a sub- 
marine ridge which forms a great arch extending be- 
tween Cape Horn and the South Shetland islands. The 
tertiary mountain chain of the Andes seems also to 
reappear in Grahamland. Indeed an elevation of only 
100 fathoms would unite all the islands off the west 
103 
