256 JOURNAL OF SCIENCE. 
land and Stewart Islands.* On the north, Norfolk and Kerma- 
dec Islands appear to be equally closely related to New Zealand, 
if not dependent on it. As soon as all the delails of the flora 
and fauna of these little groups can be fully compared, certainty 
on these points will be arrived at. 
What we now know without doubt, is the existence, in recent 
ages of the globe, perhaps even at an epoch not very far distant 
from the present, of a vast land of which New Zealand and the 
surrounding islands are the vestiges. The conditions of the 
actual faunas and floras furnish positive proofs of this, and in 
addition to these another may be added. If we examine charts 
in which the depths of the sea are indicated, we must be struck 
with the fact that in all the maritime region which embraces 
those lands which we regard as the remains of a continent, the 
depth of the water is not very great. Beyond the limits of this 
region the depths are profound. The ancient Terva Australis has 
been submerged, but it has not been swallowed up in an abyss. 
Upheavals may perhaps elevate it some day, either in whole or 
part, above the waters. 
In considering the accumulations of Moa bones observed 
over such wide extents of country, we can figure to ourselves the 
enormous numbers of these gigantic birds which must have 
existed on the plateaux or in the plains of New Zealand, at a 
date doubtless not far distant. It is difficult to believe that the 
total destruction of these remarkable creatures was accomplished 
by the Maoris, who were always somewhat thinly scattered along 
the sea coasts of the South Island. It is almost certain that 
physical occurrences were the first cause of this destruction. 
Dispersed over a vast land, the Moas had an easy existence ; 
but as the land became gradually submerged, they were com- 
pelled to take refuge on those portions which remained. _ Under 
these new conditions the Moas would perish by hundreds in 
those localities where they were crowded together in great num- 
bers. The extinction of these gigantic birds furnishes thus a 
new proof of the submergence of the Southern Continent. 
At the present time a vast deal of information is still wanted 
concerning the floras of the small groups of islands, and in par- 
ticular more precise knowledge of the entomological fauna of all 
the smaller islands. For the further pursuit of these researches 
I would address a pressing appeal to the naturalists of New 
Zealand. In that country during the last score of years, several 
investigators have distinguished themselves by researches of sur- 
passing interest. It is by them, or by their pupils, that a com- 
plete exploration of the islands which surround New Zealand 
must be made. We must not forget that the most insignificant 
plants or the most pitiful-looking insects become the signs from 
* M. Henri Filhol, attached to the Transit of Venus expedition in 1874, having 
made a careful study of the soil (rocks) of Campbell Island, believes that it has been 
separated from New Zealand since the middle tertiary epoch. The absence of 
parrots and other terrestrial birds seems to justify this opinion. Other facts appear 
to contradict it. 
