9
HISTORICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL
Birds.
Steatornithidx (Oil-Bird). Momotidx (Motmots).
Todidx (Todies).
Palamedeidx (Screamers). Psophiidie (Trumpeters). Cariamidx (Cariamas). Aramidx (Courlans). Eurypygidx (Sun-Bitterns). Thinocorythidx (Seed-Snipes). Opisthocomidx (Hoatzin). Tinamidx (Tinamous). Rheidx (Rheas).
Ccerebidx (Honey-Creepers). Phytotomidee (Plant-Cutters). Pipridx (Manakins). Oxyrhamphidse. Dendrocolaptidx (American Creepers).
Conopophagidx.
Formicariidx (Ant-Thrushes). Pteroptochidx.
Galbulidx (Jacamars). Bucconidx (Puff-Birds). Rhamphastidx (Toucans).
Reptiles.
Xenosauridx.	Dermatemydidx (Mud - Terrapins,
àc.).
Amphibians.
Dendrobatidx (Solid-chested Tree- Hemiphractidx.
Frogs).	Amphignuthodontidx.
Dendrophryniscidx.
From the above list it will be seen that ten families of Mammals, out of 32 which occur in the region, and 23 families of Birds, out of 80, are purely Neotropical, these numbers in both cases showing a remarkably high percentage of peculiarity.
The following 16 families are common to this region and the Nearctic, but are not found elsewhere :—
Mammals.
Dicotylidx (Peccaries). Dasypodidx (Armadillos). Didelphidx (Opossums).
Birds.
Phyllostomatidx (Vampire-Bats). Geomyidx (Pocket-Gophers). Heteromyidx (Pocket-Mice, &c.).
Tyrannidx (Tyrant Fly-Catchers). Trochilidx (Humming-Birds). Gracidx (Curassows, &c.). Odontophoridx (American Partridges, &c.).
Icteridx (Cassiques and Hang-nests). Tanagridx (Tanagers).
Mniotiltidx (Wood-Warblers).
^ Vireonidx (Vireos).
Mimidx (Mocking-Birds).
Cotingidx (Chatterers).
If this list be added to the first one, a total is obtained of 55 families (or half the number present) of Mammals and Birds, which are either peculiar to or highly characteristic of this interesting region.
The insects of the Neotropical Region are remarkably abundant and varied. Of the 17 known families of Butterflies, 15 are represented, and one (the Brassolidx) is peculiar Moreover, the Neotropidx, Heliconidx, Euselasiidx, and Lemoniidx extend into the southern portion of the Nearctic Region, but are otherwise peculiarly Neotropical. The brilliantly coloured members of the genus Morpho are confined to this region, while among Moths the Gastniidx and Uraniidx are specially characteristic^ Lastly, of land and fresh-water Moliusca the families Orthalicidx and Proserpinidx are peculiar and the Urocoptidx almost so.
Chilian Sub-region.—In this area 100 families of terrestrial Vertebrates are represented, namely, 23 of Mammals, 53 of Birds, 17 of Reptiles, and 7 of Amphibians. The only peculiar families are the Dinomyidx, containing a single species found in Peru, and the Thinocorythidx (Seed-Snipes), numbering only five species. In spite, however, of the paucity of absolutely peculiar families, certain groups are quite characteristic. Thus, among others may be mentioned the Chinchillidx (Chinchillas), the genus Lama (family Camelidx), the Phytotomidx (Plant - Cutters), Pteroptochidx, Steatornithidx (Oil-Bird), and the Rheidx (Rheas), while the Spectacled Bear (Tremarctos ornatus), the only member of the Ursidx found in South America, is restricted to this Sub-region, occurring only in the Andes.
Brazilian Sub-region.—This is much the richest of the Neotropical sub-regions, containing representatives of 133 families of terrestrial Vertebrates, or 86 per cent, of those occurring in the entire region. Of these, 27 are Mammals, 71 Birds, 23 Reptiles, and 12 Amphibians. Eight families are peculiar, as follows :—
Mammals.
Callitrichidx (Marmosets).	Cxnolestidx (Selvas).
Birds.
Conopophagidx.	Cariamidx (Cariamas).
Psophiidx (Trumpeters).	Opisthocomidx (Hoatzin).
Amphibians.
Hemiphractidx.	Amphignathodontidx.
The Brazilian Sub-region is the great home of nearly all the arboreal Vertebrates of South America, and hence we find that the following families of tree-haunting Mammals are more numerously represented here than in any other sub-region :—Cebidx (American Monkeys), Phyllostomatidx (Vampire-Bats), Hystricidx (section Erethizontidx or American Porcupines), Brady-podidx (Sloths), and Didelphidx (Opossums).
There are, in addition, many characteristic families in this great forest area, and among these may be mentioned the Octodontidx (Spiny Mice), Dasyproctidx (Agouties), Caviidx (Cavies), and the American Tapirs of the genus Tapirus ; several families of Birds too numerous to mention in detail, but including many of those which are peculiar to the Neotropical Region
For further details regarding the fauna of the Sandwich Islands, the reader is referred to the Section on Insular Faunas, which follows (vide p. 10).
New Zealand Sub-region.—The fauna of New Zealand is very remarkable, rendering it worthy of the regional rank which is by some authorities accorded it. Only 34■ families of terrestrial Vertebrates are represented, of which there are 3 of Mammals, 27 of Birds, 3 of Reptiles, and 1 of Amphibians. Five families are altogether confined to the Sub-region, namely, the Xenicidx, Nestoridx (Nestor - Parrots), Stringopidx (Owl - Parrots), Apterygidx (Kiwis), and Ilatteriidx (Tuatera). The three Mammalian families represented are the Noctilionidx (Free - tailed Bats), Vesper -tilionidx (Typical Bats), and the Muridx (Rats, Mice, &c.). Since the New Zealand Rat is probably an introduction, it is fair to say that this country possesses no indigenous Mammals (excluding the purely aerial Bats), while there are only about 16 species of Lizards, no land Snakes, and only one Frog. The peculiar animal known as the Tuatera (Hatteria) is so remarkable, however, that its presence amply compensates in interest for the paucity of Reptiles and Amphibians. The insects are also deficient, for only about 260 species of Macrolepidoptera have been recorded, of which some 16 are Butterflies. There are no Scorpions, while Wasps (Vespidx) likewise appear to be absent.
The Lizards found in this Sub-region belong entirely to the families Geckonidx (Geckos) and Scincidx (Skinks), while the frog is Liopelma hochstetteri, a member of the Discoglossidx, which family, it is interesting to note, is otherwise confined to the Palsearctic Region.
Number of Families of terrestrial Vertebrates in the Australian Region and its Four Sub-regions.
	Mammals.	Birds.	Reptiles.	Amphibians.	Total.
Australian Region in General	22 (8)	78 (17)	25 (3)	9(2)	13 30)
Austro-Malayan Sub-region	18	65(1)	23 (1)	7(2)	113 (4)
Australian ״	15(3)	67 (3)	13	3	98 (6)
Polynesian ,,	5	37 (3)	9	2	53 (3)
New Zealand ,,	3	27 (4)	3(1)	1	34 (5)
1 The figures in parentheses indicate the number of peculiar families.
V. NEOTROPICAL REGION.
Extent.—This luxuriant region comprises the whole of South and Central America, the West Indies, and the southern part of Mexico, with the exception of a narrow tract belonging to the Nearctic Region, which runs southwards over the central plateau almost to Guatemala.
Sub-regions.—The four Sub-regions recognised by Wallace are the following :—(1) Chilian; (2) Brazilian; (3) Mexican; and (4) Antillean. The Chilian Sub-region is defined by a line commencing on the western coast of South America about 4° south of the Equator, running down the summits of the Andes of Peru and Bolivia, thence eastwards about the Southern Tropic, and finally reaching the Atlantic coast at 30° south latitude. The Brazilian Sub-region includes all the rest of South America, terminating northwards at the Isthmus of Panama; while all the Neotropical country north of this on the mainland constitutes the Mexican Sub-region. The Antillean Sub-region comprises all the West Indies, except Tobago and Trinidad, which must be regarded as belonging to the adjacent continent.
Physical Features.—The Neotropical is essentially a tropical region, although a considerable portion of it is well within the south temperate zone. It is remarkable for the great extent and luxuriance of the forests which almost entirely cover the tropical portion, and for the almost total absence of desert. This may be accounted for by the fact that its high ground is almost entirely restricted to a comparatively narrow band running down close to and parallel with the western coast. Hence the greater part of the region is open to the influence of moist trade-winds from the Atlantic. The condensation on the high mountain slopes of the moisture carried by these winds gives rise to a great number of vast streams, which flow eastwards, and hence we have an extensive, low-lying and exceptionally well-watered region, harbouring an unusually rich flora and fauna. The narrow strip to the west of the Andes has a singularly dry climate, and the fauna consequently approaches that of the temperate portion of the region. The great mountain ranges of this and the Nearctic Region may be contrasted with those of the Palsearctic, inasmuch as they run in a north to south direction, while those of the latter are mainly west to east. The Andes, again, are remarkable for their great height in proportion to the amount of land surface they cover. The temperate portion of the region consists chiefly of low-lying pampas, with a dry climate, but the southern extremity is covered with cold, damp forest. With all these varied conditions it is hardly surprising that this great region possesses a marvellously rich and peculiar fauna, with a larger number of special types, both family and generic, than any other.
Zoological Characteristics.—In support of the remarks in the preceding paragraph relative to the rich and varied nature of the Neotropical fauna, it may be stated that representatives of 155 families of terrestrial Vertebrates are found within the limits of the region, and of these no fewer than 39 are absolutely confined to it. The complete list of peculiar families is as follows: —
Mammals.
Caviidx (Cavies).
Dinomyidx (Dinomys). Bradypodidx (Sloths). Myrmecophagidx (Ant-eaters). Cxnolestidx (Selvas).
Cebidx (American Monkeys). Callitrichidx (Marmosets). Solenodontidx (Solenodons). Dasyproctidx (Agouties). Chinchillidx (Chinchillas).
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