200 FOOT-NOTES TO EVOLUTION. 
distribution in every realm; here appears an animal, 
there a plant, which seems to have a character or place 
which it ought not to hold. To the result of unexpected 
or chance crossing of barriers these ap- 
parent anomalies in geographical dis- 
tribution aredue. Anomalies in distribu- 
tion, like anomalies in evolution, would cease to be such 
if we knew all the facts and circumstances of their pre- 
vious history. The present range of the tapir in farther 
India and in the northern part of South America, two 
widely separated regions, is at first sight an anomaly of 
distribution. This anomaly disappears when we know 
that formerly the tapir ranged over the holarctic realm, 
and became gradually extinct with the changing climate. 
The bones of a tapir, much like one of the South Amer- 
ican species, are found in recent clays in Indiana (Elletts- 
ville, Monroe County), and similar remains exist in 
France, in China, and in Burmah. The isolated, unex- 
terminated colonies are now left at the extreme of the 
animal’s former range, and these colonies at present 
constitute what we call distinct species. 
The more extended are our studies the fewer are the 
anomalies which arrest our attention, and the fewer are 
the distinctive or characteristic forms. 
There is little foundation for the current 
belief that each species of animal has 
originated in the area it now occupies, for 
in many cases our knowledge of paleontology shows 
the reverse of this to be true. Even more incorrect is 
the belief that each species occupies the district or the 
surroundings best fitted for its habitation. This is mani- 
fest in the fact of the extraordinary fertility and persist- 
ence shown by many kinds of animals and plants in 
taking possession of new lands, which have become, 
through the voluntary or involuntary interference of 
Anomalies in 
distribution. 
Adaptation of 
animals to envi- 
ronment. 
