On the other hand, the depth of 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..