text:  What can explain the peculiar fauna of New Holland? If all the varieties of animal life spring from one and the same germ under the uniform laws of nature how is it that in some regions fitted in every respect for the support of animal life no animals whatever of the higher order are found? "New Zealand which may be compared in dimensions to Ireland united with Scotland which extends over more than 700 miles in latitude and is in its many parts 90 miles broad with varied stations a fine climate and land of all heights from 14 000 feet downwards does not possess one indigenous quadruped with the exception of a small rat