THE ERAS IN THE FLORAL HISTORY OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS
The Age of Ferns
The eras in the plant-stocking.—The age of ferns and lycopods.—The relative proportion of vascular cryptogams in Hawaii, Fiji, and Tahiti.—The large number of peculiar species in Hawaii.—The mountain ferns of Hawaii.—The origin of peculiar species.—Dr. Hillebrand’s views.—Their origin connected not with greater variety of climate in Hawaii, but with isolation.—Summary
Pages [220-230]
CHAPTER XXI
THE ERAS OF THE FLOWERING PLANTS
The Era of the Endemic Genera
The Age of Compositæ
The islands of the tropical Pacific as the homes of new genera and new species.—The significance of a large endemic element.—Synopsis of the eras.—The era of endemic genera.—The endemic genera of Compositæ.—Their affinities and mode of dispersal.—The mystery of the suspension of the dispersing agencies.—Mr. Bentham’s views.—The remnant of an ancient Composite flora in the tropical Pacific.—The dispersion of the Compositæ antedates the emergence of the island-groups of the Fijian region at the close of the Tertiary period.—Summary
Pages [231-249]