the surrounding seas, the form of the submerged banks, and the volcanic
character of most of the islands, all point to an independent origin.
Before concluding, I must make one remark to avoid misapprehension. When
I say that Timor has never formed part of Australia, I refer only to recent
geological epochs. In Secondary or even Eocene or Miocene times, Timor and
Australia may have been connected; but if so, all record of such a union has been
lost by subsequent submergence, and in accounting for the present land-
inhabitants of any country we have only to consider those changes which have
occurred since its last elevation above the waters. Since such last elevation, I feel
confident that Timor has not formed part of Australia.