The whole theory of the accidental or abnormal dispersal of mollusca appears to have been originated by Darwin, in order to account for their presence on so-called Oceanic islands.
Mr. Murray's views, though they relate only to oceanic islands, are likewise applicable to continental islands such as our own.
These facts enable us to account sufficiently well for the birds of oceanic islands, the number and variety of which are seen to be proportionate to their facilities for reaching the island and maintaining themselves in it.
Thus we may explain the origin of so many flightless and rather bulky birds in oceanic islands, as the dodo, the cassowary, and the extinct moas.
He has some good ideas here and there, but is quite unable to understand Natural Selection, and makes a most absurd mess of his criticism of your views on oceanic islands.
One of the subjects on which I have been experimenting, and which cost me much trouble, is the means of distribution of all organic beings found on oceanic islands; and any facts on this subject would be most gratefully received.
He concludes: "You have my very sincere and cordial good wishes for success of all kinds, and may all your theories succeed, except that on Oceanic Islands, on which subject I will do battle to the death.
Many remarkable little facts could be given with respect to the inhabitants of oceanic islands.
Thus the climate of oceanic islands is always moderate, and the climates of all coasts are more equable than in the interior of continents.
The distinctive character ofOceanic islands is that they lie at a distance from the continents, in the midst of the ocean basins.
Though terrestrial mammals do not occur on oceanic islands, aerial mammals do occur on almost every island.
Other causes, moreover besides actual economy, would favour shorter and more convenient wings on oceanic islands.
As examples of oceanic islands we have the Azores and Bermudas in the Atlantic, and the Polynesian islands in mid-Pacific.
I hope that at some time you will be able to get sent to me seeds of species peculiar to oceanic islands, should you hear of any botanists who are visiting such islands.
For the general problem of Oceanic Islands, see Origin, Ed.
The above list will hopefully provide you with a few useful examples demonstrating the appropriate usage of "oceanic islands" in a variety of sentences. We hope that you will now be able to make sentences using this group of words.
