ANCIENT LAND CONNECTIONS 289 



of these are peculiar to the group. And yet in spite of this 

 feature, in spite of the fact that two kinds of mammals live on 

 the islands, and that numerous mollusks and other inverte- 

 brates are quite confined to the Bahamas, we often read the 

 statement that the fauna of these islands is entirely a product 

 of accidental transport by winds, waves or human agency. 



How little influenced the Antilles are by accidental intro- 

 ductions is well shown by a study of such groups as the 

 dragon-flies and their allies (Neuroptera and Pseudoneu- 

 roptera), and the butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera). If 

 winds played any active part in their dispersal, we should 

 find many species from North America in the Greater Antilles, 

 whereas the affinities agree almost precisely with those of 

 the other animals already considered. Several genera of 

 dragon-flies, known both'irom North and South America,, such 

 as Chauliodes, Corydalis, Mantispa and others, are wanting 

 in the West Indian islands, thus showing that the migration 

 between the two continents did not take place across the 

 Antillean area. The great majority of the genera are South 

 or Central American. Only two genera of dragon-flies are con- 

 fined to the Antilles. On the other hand, many continental 

 ones are absent. The Lesser Antilles contain some South 

 American species which are wanting in the Greater Antilles.* 

 Similarly the Lepidoptera exhibit affinities with northern 

 South America, Central America and Florida. Several cha- 

 racteristically southern families, nevertheless, are wanting in 

 the Antilles. The four large islands are characterised by the 

 absence of many neotropical genera, and the presence of a 

 genus and many species that are peculiar to them. Jamaica 

 shows some special features of interest. f 



The birds exhibit similar peculiarities in their geographical 

 distribution. One whole family, the todies (Toditae), are con- 

 fined to the larger islands of Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti and Por- 

 torico. They bear a certain resemblance to the kingfishers, 

 but differ in colour, whereas in habits and shape of bill they 

 resemble the flycatchers. In reality they are related to the 

 Central American motmots. We also have the same striking 



* Kolbe, H. J., " Neuroptera tmd Pseudoneuroptera d. Antillen," 

 pp. 154—161. 

 t Pagenstecher, A., " Verbreitung der Schmetterlinge," pp. 391—394. 

 L.A. U 



