EVIDENCES FROM GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION 103 
formed by nature for the particular purpose of supplying naturalists 
with a crucial test between the theories of creation and evolution. 
The material upon which my analysis is to be based will be derived 
from the most recent works upon geographical . distribution—espe- 
cially from the magnificent contributions to this department of science 
which we owe to the labours of Mr. Wallace. Indeed, all that follows 
may be regarded as a condensed filtrate of the facts which he has 
collected. Even as thus restricted, however, our subject matter 
would be too extensive to be dealt with on the present occasion, 
were we to attempt an exhaustive analysis of the floras and faunas 
of all oceanic islands upon the face of the globe. Therefore, what I 
propose to do is to select for such exhaustive analysis a few of what 
ma¥ be termed the most oceanic of oceanic islands—that is to say, 
those oceanic islands which are most widely separated from main- 
lands, and which, therefore, furnish the most unquestionable of 
test cases as between the theories of special creation and genetic 
descent. ae 
Azores.—A group of volcanic islands, nine in number, about goo 
miles from the coast of Portugal, and surrounded by ocean depths of 
1,800 to 2,500 fathoms. There is geological evidence that the origin 
of the group dates back at least as far as Miocene times. There is a 
total absence of all terrestrial Vertebrata, other than those which are 
known to have been introduced by man. Flying animals, on the 
other hand, are abundant: namely, 53 species of birds, one species of 
bat, a few species:of butterflies, moths and hymenoptera, with 74 
species of indigenous beetles. All these animals are unmodified 
European species, with the exception of one bird and many of the 
beetles. Of the 74 indigenous species of the latter, 36 are not found 
in Europe; but 19 are natives of Madeira or the Canaries, and 3 are 
American, doubtless transplanted by drift-wood. The remaining 14 
species occur nowhere else in the world, though for the most part 
they are allied to other European species. There are 69 known 
species of land-shells, of which 37 are European, and 32 peculiar, 
though all allied to European forms. Lastly, there are 480 known 
species of plants of which 4o are peculiar, though allied to European 
species. 
Bermudas.—A small volcanic group of islands, 700 miles from 
North Carolina. Athough there are about too islands in the group, 
their total area does not exceed 50 square miles. The group is sur- 
rounded by water varying in depth from 2,500 to 3,800 fathoms. The 
