The geologist, who is fully impressed with the vast oscillations of level which have affected the earth's crust within late periods, will not fear to speculate on the recent elevation of the Mexican platform, or, more probably, on the recent submergence of land in the West Indian Archipelago, as the cause of the present zoological separation of North and South America.

The South American character of the West Indian mammals seems to indicate that this archipelago was formerly united to the southern continent, and that it has subsequently been an area of subsidence.
(7/6.

See Dr.Richardson's "Report" page 157; also "L'Institut" 1837 page 253.

Cuvier says the kinkajou is found in the larger Antilles, but this is doubtful.

M.Gervais states that the Didelphis crancrivora is found there.