The Former Connection of Southern Continents

Abstract

WITH reference to the very interesting question treated in Mr. Mellard Reade's letter of your issue of May 26 (p. 77), as to the former connection of southern continents, it may be worth while calling attention to the fact that a great circle, which I may call the Kaffraria Great Circle, connects that coast line with the Falkland Island and the South Georgia Island. It may be presumed that these two islands are the remaining summits of what was once a chain of mountains in connection with the continent of South America. Some of the points through which or near which this great circle passes are as follow—the above mentioned islands, Port de Sta. Cruz, Patagonia; it traverses the Pacific, runs parallel to the southern branch of the Aleutian Islands, and cuts Kamtchatka somewhat south of Klienchewsk aia Volcano, and traversing Asia emerges by the Island of Cutch, so interesting on account of the earthquakes which occurred there. It is of interest to note that South Georgia Island is antipodal Jo the northern extremity of Saghalian Island.