1897.] The Origin of the Galapagos Islands. 679 
they have been built up by younger and recent volcanic masses. 
There is a possibility, and even probability, however, that 
older formations served as fundament, the examination of 
which is prevented by the extensive covering.” 
From the facts mentioned, it follows that these islands in the 
Pacific, which, so far as known, are merely of volcanic origin, 
are not of much significance. Besides, various extensive re- 
gions have been terra firma during long periods. On the 
groups of islands which extend from the Philippines to the 
Fiji Islands, all marine sediments are missing up to the upper 
Cretaceous (New Britain), on the others even up to the Miocene. 
It is remarkable that the northern islands (Japan) and the 
southern (New Zealand) show the different formations very 
much more developed. A complete representation of the strata 
is not found in a single group of islands, therefore, we can sup- 
pose that they, together with portions of the ocean, formerly 
represented continental masses. Thus, it becomes probable, 
that the Pacific Ocean cannot be considered of great age, that 
it received approximately its present form only during the 
time of the younger Tertiary (Wichmann). 
From the peculiar fauna of the Fiji Islands we reached the 
conclusion that they must be of continental origin. The cor- 
rectness of this conclusion follows from Wichmann’s petro- 
graphical studies of the rocks. 
For the Galápagos Islands the correct geological proof can- 
not be given, but the harmonic distribution of fauna and flora 
can only be explained by their continental origin. The con- 
nection must have been with Central America and tke West 
Indies over Cocos Island. There are no geological difficulties, 
since we know that the Fiji Islands, which are surrounded by 
much deeper sea, are continental. 
It is evident that the theory of the consistency of continents 
and oceans since palæozoic times, or ever before, must be 
‘abandoned completely. Edward Suess,” in his masterly 
*Only by this theory many very peculiar cases of distribution in the Pacific 
Region and the presence of Pacific and Asiatic forms on the coast of America can 
“be explained. 
© Suess, Eduard. Das Antlitz der Erde. 2. Bände Wien, 1885-88. Band I, 
Zweite unverinderte Auflage Wien, 1892. 
