DIFFERENCE OF CLIMATE. ■ 299 



Even in the same genera, as among the cones and 

 cowries, the species found about Erroob were differ- 

 ent from, and generally more brilliant in form and 

 colour, than those on the Australian coast. Nay, 

 even in the same species, as in the common Cypra?a 

 tigris, the specimens were more rich and handsome 

 from the former place than those found about Sir C. 

 Hardy's Island for instance. In individual speci- 

 mens this difference might not, perhaps, be so 

 observable, but if a group of the most common spe- 

 cies of the two localities, whether of plants or ani- 

 mals, were taken, it became instantly apparent. It 

 was evident that in crossing Torres Strait we were 

 passing from the Australian centre of life, so to 

 speak, into that of the Indian Archipelago, or more 

 strictly, perhaps, of the Moluccas.* 



In the vegetable kingdom a reason for the 

 difference might be sought in the variation of 

 the climate. From the abundance of fresh water, 

 and from the habits and manners of the people 

 — such as firewood being stored in the houses, 

 sticks laid across the paths to keep the passen- 

 ger from the mud, as well as from our personal 

 experience while there — the south-east coast of 

 New Guinea has evidently a very moist cli- 

 mate. It is probable, I think, that during the 

 whole S.E. monsoon, or from the middle of March 



* I use the term Moluccas here as the common one ; but it is 

 highly probable, I think, that the peculiar species of animals and 

 plants inhabiting the Molucca Group have New Guinea for their 

 head-quarters . 



