53 
each other, — if they only originate from the same degree of 
latitude, — than species of the same geological age from different 
geographical zones. If such he the case , we may well assert , that 
the identity or close relationship of the fossil remains of one or 
the same geological period, such as they are laid down in the geo- 
logy of to-day, is principally to be ascribed to the fact, that these 
remains were collected in the same geographical zones. But as the 
faunas of the present period, in continents at great distance from 
each other, are essentially different, so Prof. Agassiz believes himself 
justified in supposing that the same was the case also with the faunas 
of the older periods. The geology and palaeontology of the coun- 
tries in the Southern Hemisphere are, no doubt, the chief means 
to prove or disprove this view of the celebrated zoologist and pa- 
laeontologist, and to reduce it to its proper standard. And New 
Zealand with its very peculiar flora and fauna of the present day, 
which show so very little analogy to the countries nearest to it, 
to Australia, the South Sea Islands and South America, — New 
Zealand, I say, is the very country, that might afford the neces- 
sary favourable or adverse proofs by means of its fossil plants and 
animal remains. 
Although without the intention of drawing general conclusions 
from the little that is now known, I cannot refrain from simply 
enumerating the facts. 
Most striking to the observer, on comparing the living land 
fauna of New Zealand with those of the countries nearest to it, is 
the nearly total absence of quadrupeds. New Zealand with its two, 
perhaps three, endemial species 1 is far surpassed in the number 
of mammalia by many much smaller islands of the South Sea. 
As substitutes for mammalia we have there most marvellous forms 
of wingless birds , the Apteryx species , which have been found 
to exist nowhere else. We might suppose, that perhaps the de- 
funct land fauna of older periods displays more relationship with 
the faunas of the neighbouring continents of Australia and South 
1 A bat, a rat, and another animal, not yet described, resembling an otter, 
and living on the lakes of the South Island, are the only quadrupeds of New Zealand. 
