Origin of Species Variorum

→ known to be 1859 1860 1861 1866 1869

OMIT 1872

→ by sea-water, 1861 1866 1869

by sea-water, on my view we can see that 1859 1860

(with the exception, as far as known, of one Indian species) by sea-water, 1872

→ on my view we can see why 1861 1866

why 1859 1860

we can see why 1869 1872

→ but 1859 1860 1861 1866

and as yet I 1869

and 1872

→ finished my search; as yet I have not 1859 1860 1861 1866

OMIT 1869 1872

→ distant from it about 280 miles; moreover, 1861 1866

moreover, 1859 1860

at the distance of about 280 miles; moreover, 1869 1872

→ small 1859 1860 1861 1866

at least small 1869 1872

This general absence of frogs, toads, and newts on so many

true oceanic

oceanic

islands cannot be accounted for by their physical

conditions:

conditions;

indeed it seems that islands are peculiarly

~~well~~

well

fitted for these animals; for frogs have been introduced into Madeira, the Azores, and Mauritius, and have multiplied so

as-to

as to

become a nuisance. But as these animals and their spawn are →known to be immediately killed →by sea-water, there would be great difficulty in their transportal across the sea, and therefore →on my view we can see why they do not exist on

strictly

any

oceanic

islands.

island.

But why, on the theory of creation, they should not have been created there, it would be very difficult to explain.

Mammals offer another and similar case. I have carefully searched the oldest voyages, →but have not →finished my search; as yet I have not found a single instance, free from doubt, of a terrestrial mammal (excluding domesticated animals kept by the natives) inhabiting an island situated above 300 miles from a continent or great continental island; and many islands situated at a much less distance are equally barren. The Falkland Islands, which are inhabited by a wolf-like fox, come nearest to an exception; but this group cannot be considered as oceanic, as it lies on a bank

in connection

connected

with the

mainland;

mainland

mainland,

→distant from it about 280 miles; moreover, icebergs formerly brought boulders to its western shores, and they may have formerly transported foxes, as

now

frequently

~~now~~

now

happens in the arctic regions. Yet it cannot be said that small islands will not support →small mammals, for they occur in many parts of the world on very small islands,

when lying

close to a continent; and hardly an island can be named on which our smaller quadrupeds have not become naturalised and greatly multiplied. It cannot be said, on the ordinary view of creation, that there has not been time