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Similar Zoology.
Similarities of flora and fauna on either side of the Atlantic led early biologists to assume the existence of a former land bridge spanning the entire ocean. Other
theorists maintain that Atlantis was itself the point of creation for many species. The diffusionist idea maintained that the widespread incidence of similar
creatures the world over pointed to an Atlantic land bridge that was no longer in existence.
Common centre.
The diffusionist idea received support from a Professor Edward Hull. Writing in the early years of the last century he claimed: "The flora and fauna of the two
hemispheres support the geological theory of a common centre in the Atlantic where life began and that during and prior to the glacial epoch great land-bridges north and south spanned the Atlantic
Ocean."
Dispersion of the rabbit.
In most cases it is necessary to highlight an argument with a particular example. In the case of Atlantis
and the diffusionist theory we can look at the spread of the rabbit. In his History of Atlantis author Lewis Spence has the following to say: “It has indeed been argued that the rabbit may have reached
the Azores and Europe from America by way of the ancient land-bridge. Various experts have indicated the connection between the rabbit forms of Africa and America and have drawn the conclusion therefrom
that the species must have migrated from one of these continents to the other.”
Atlantean origin.
Lewis Spence himself saw the evidence of rabbit dispersion in a slightly different light. Not as a
dispersion laterally from one side of the Atlantic to the other, but as a radial dispersion from Atlantis itself. In other words that the rabbit, along with the horse, the cow, the bull, and the
dolphins, had originated right there on Atlantis. Says Spence: “It seems probable, however, that the rabbit may actually have originated upon Atlantean soil - a habitat most suitable for its development
and speedy propagation, and that later the struggle for existence through overcrowding forced into less congenial regions.”
Cradle of all animal life?
With regards Atlantis as the point of creation Lewis Spence is cautiously optimistic. He writes: “It has
occasionally been stated with some authority that Atlantis may have been the cradle of all animal life. Such a statement, in view of our lack of knowledge on the subject, should be regarded cautiously.
Certain circumstances exist, however, which seem to render it not improbable that some species may have had their beginning on the island continent.”
Strange migrations.
One of the most telling pieces of evidence is the behaviour of migrating creatures such as some birds, eels,
and salmon that travel far out into the Atlantic as if searching for some long lost land. Some experts have said that it may be likely that these creatures have imprinted in the genes the idea of a vast
island that once existed there. Atlantis must have possessed fresh water rivers, valleys and meadows. If so it would undoubtedly have been home to a vast array of animal and fish life - some species of
which are still possessed to migrate towards the location of their lost homeland.
For more on this theme of strange migrations see our special topic.
Special migrations.
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