Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
described, we have the most positive evidence that such
has
been the mode of peopling the
islands. Their productions
are
of that miscellaneous character which we should expect from
such an origin; and to suppose that they have been portions of Australia or of Java will in-
troduce perfectly gratuitous difficulties, and render it quite impossible to explain those curi-
ous relations which the best known group of animals (the birds) have been shown to exhibit.
On the other hand, the depth of the surrounding seas, the form of the submerged banks, and
the volcanic character of most of the islands, all point to an independent origin.
Before concluding, I must make one remark to avoid misapprehension. When I say that
Timor has never formed part of Australia, I refer only to recent geological epochs. In Sec-
ondary or even Eocene or Miocene times, Timor and Australia may have been connected;
but if so, all record of such a union has been lost by subsequent submergence; and in ac-
counting for the present land-inhabitants of any country we have only to consider those
changes which have occurred since its last elevation above the waters. Since such last eleva-
tion, I feel confident that Timor has not formed part of Australia.
