IIo MOSTLY MAMMALS 
subsequently given a doubtful position; and his views 
have been followed by most later writers. Recently, how- 
ever, several writers have come to the conclusion that it 
should be included in the Oriental region. 
A glance at the map will show that Celebes is an island 
of very peculiar and unusual shape. It consists of an 
irregular central region, from which are given off four 
still more irregular peninsulas, of which the one running 
in the direction of the Moluccas is considerably the largest. 
Its general outline is more like that frequently assumed 
by an amoeba than anything else, and it is quite clear from 
this remarkable shape that the island is situated in a 
subsiding area, and once formed a portion of a much 
larger land-mass. From the peculiarity of its animals it 
is evident that Celebes has existed as an island since an 
epoch comparatively remote; and the question naturally 
arises whether its last connection was with Borneo and 
the other Malay islands, or with Ceram and New Guinea. 
In a question of this nature the depth of the surrounding 
seas has, of course, a most important bearing. 
Putting, however, the evidence of soundings on one side, 
we may endeavour to find out how much light the animals 
of Celebes are capable of throwing on the problem. 
Those of my readers who have any acquaintance with 
the geographical distribution of animals, are probably aware 
that no marsupials at all are found to the westward of 
Celebes, and that to the eastward of that island monkeys 
are quite unknown; while hoofed animals are represented 
only by a deer in Timor and a second in the Moluccas, 
and likewise by a semi-wild pig in Ceram and another in 
New Guinea. In fact, the quadrupeds of the Australasian 
region, with these exceptions, consist exclusively of egg- 
laying mammals, marsupials, and various peculiar kinds of 
