s
of smaller size. New Guinea, again, with the Aru Islands, are separated
from Australia by a very shallow sea; and it is remarkable that the
animals found in these three regions differ considerably from each
other. Many of those found in Australia and New Guinea are different
from those found in Celebes, and the other islands surrounded by deep
water. They, again, differ from the animals found in Borneo, Java, and
Sumatra, which are mostly identical with those of Asia.

"A striking contrast will also be found in the scenery of the islands of
volcanic and non-volcanic origin. A volcanic belt passes from the
north, through the Philippine Islands, down to the north end of Celebes.
There is then a break; and again it commences in the island of Gilolo,
passing through Borneo, Seram, and Banda, down to Timor; then through
Flores, sweeping round to Java, where there is an immense number of
volcanoes. The island of Java contains more volcanoes, active and
quiescent, than any other known district of equal extent. There exist
forty-five at least, averaging 10,000 feet in height. Volcanoes, you
must understand, have been raised up by the accumulation of matter
ejected by themselves, consisting of mud, ashes, and lava. Frequently,
although a mountain has been thrown up by volcanic action, no opening
appears, though probably one will be found in the neighbourhood. Thus
Java is entirely volcanic. In most instances volcanoes are found near
the sea, when the materials of the mighty mound have been drawn from the
surrounding surface, and into the hollow below formed by their
abstraction the water has rushed: thus, although the sea might not have
been there previously, a strait or gulf has been produced. At the very
centre of the great curve of volcanoes I have described, is found the
large island of Borneo; and yet there no sign of recent volcanic action
has been observed, while earthquakes are entirely unknown. In New
Guinea, also, no sign of volcanic action is known to exist: except at
the east end of Celebes, the whole island is free from volcanoes. In my
opinion, this volcanic action did not commence till a comparatively late
period, so that it has not succeeded in obliterating altogether the
traces of a more ancient distribution of land and water.

"I must now give you a short description of the contrasts in the
vegetation of this interesting region. We shall find a great portion of
the islands clothed with a rich f