238 Darwin, and after Darwin. 
remote from continents, and known from independent 
geological evidence to be of comparatively recent 
origin—that is, to have been separated from their 
adjacent mainlands in comparatively recent times, 
and therefore as islands to be comparatively young. 
The British Isles furnish as good an instance as could 
be chosen, for they together comprise over 1000 
islands of various sizes, which are nowhere separated 
from one another by deep seas, and in the opinion of 
geologists were all continuous with the European 
continent since the glacial period. 
BRITISH ISLES. 
NON-PECULIAR SPECIES. 
Reptiles 
Plants. & * , 7 Insects. and po Ped : 
‘ Amphibia, ards. ‘ammals, 
| 1462 | 83 12,551 13 #0 ‘6 
PECULIAR SPECIES. 
Reptiles ‘ 
Plants. Shells. Insects. and Piss Psst ] 
Amphibia. wras. amilials. 
46 | 4 | 149 ° I ° 
Total Peculiar Plants ioe ace a @ 6 gb 
Total Peculiar Animuls . 2... - . 154 
Grand Total . . . % 200 
I have drawn up this table in the most liberal 
manner possible, including as peculiar species forms 
