divisions of the Archipelago.

On referring to pages 12, 13, and 36 of Mr. Earl's pamphlet, it
will be seen that he maintains the former connection of Asia and
Australia as an important part of his view; whereas, I dwell
mainly on their long continued separation. Notwithstanding this
and other important differences between us, to him undoubtedly
belongs the merit of first indicating the division of the
Archipelago into an Australian and an Asiatic region, which it
has been my good fortune to establish by more detailed
observations.

Contrasts in Natural Productions.--To understand the importance
of this class of facts, and its bearing upon the former
distribution of land and sea, it is necessary to consider the
results arrived at by geologists and naturalists in other parts
of the world.

It is now generally admitted that the present distribution of
living things on the surface of the earth is mainly the result of
the last series of changes that it has undergone. Geology teaches
us that the surface of the land, and the distribution of land and
water, is everywhere slowly changing. It further teaches us that
the forms of life which inhabit that surface have, during every
period of which we possess any record, been also slowly changing.

It is not now necessary to say anything about how either of those
changes took place; as to that, opinions may differ; but as to
the fact that the changes themselves have occurred, from the
earliest geological ages down to the present day, and are still