ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 
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surface of the earth ; the author points out that it is very interesting 
to observe that the present geographical distribution of many animals 
points often and clearly to the conditions existing a comparatively short 
time ago. Geographical distribution, if regarded under the principle 
that species are formed under separation, may give us some hints as 
respects the former geological and geographical conditions. Some 
principles worthy of notice are here indicated. (1) Each species must 
have originated in a separate locality. (2) It is very improbable that 
the same species originated in different and separate parts of the earth. 
(3) The same species existing in completely separated localities indi- 
cates a former connection, which as a rule lies not far back in time. 
(4) Nearly allied species in separated localities indicate a former con- 
nection, but in a more remote time. The degree of relation may give a 
rough estimate of the relative time that has elapsed since separation. 
(5) Formerly separated parts of the earth’s surface are difficult to locate, 
since a later connection destroys the differences that existed formerly, 
and the animals peculiar to each separated part cannot be recognised. 
Mr. Ortmann thinks that everybody who has undertaken to study the 
origin of species will agree with the views set forth by him, at least as 
regards the insufficiency of natural selection for the differentiation of 
species, and everybody will concede that a transformation or mutation 
of a species is fundamentally different from differentiation into co- 
existing species, and that in this respect Weismann’s opinion that 
natural selection may explain the mode of formation of the living world 
as a whole is truly unwarranted. 
Cryptozoic Fauna of Australasia.*— Prof. A. Dendy took, as the 
subject of his Presidential Address to Section D of the Australasian 
Association for the Advancement of Science, the subject that workers 
even in this country now closely associate with his name. He apologised 
for making free use of a term coined by himself, and hardly, he says, 
perhaps yet in general circulation among biologists. He can only 
plead that he uses the word “cryptozoic” for want of a better. Five 
years ago it appeared to him that the assemblage of small terrestrial 
animals found dwelling in darkness, beneath stones, roots, logs, and 
the bark of trees, was still deserving of study in its entirety, and that 
it constituted a section of the terrestrial fauna quite as distinct from 
the remainder, as, for example, the littoral or abyssal fauna is from the 
remainder of the marine ; of course, however, he recognises that it is 
not sharply defined from the rest. The members which compose it have 
been derived from nearly all the groups of the animal kingdom, and the 
only character which they all possess in common is their hatred of expo- 
sure. Some forms evidently prefer one kind of haunt to another ; thus 
one may be found beneath stones, but never under fallen logs. Divers 
causes have probably impelled different members of the Cryptozoic fauna 
to adopt their peculiar mode of life. A large proportion of them are, 
doubtless, to be looked upon as refugees. Others, however, on account 
of their delicate organisation, are unable to stand exposure to the light 
and heat of day. Others are, doubtless, tempted by the presence of 
some special food-supply ; decayed logs, for example, are commonly 
* Anslralasian Assoc. Advancement Science, 1894, 21 pp. (separate copy). 
