Page:Madras journal of literature and science vol 2 new series 1857.djvu/192

182 A?iimal and Plant. [xo. 4, ne^v series, rank in their respective kingdoms, existing between the classes of animals and vegetables living at the same time on the stage of the world. Thus during the Palaeozoic division of fossiliferous history, amid awful forests, pestiferous jungle, and impenetrable underwood consisting of Monocotyledons, Gymnogens, Acrogens and Thallogens, there lived molluscs and a few reptiles, while the waters of the same period were occupied by corals and crustaceans, all animals of low type. Advancing to the next or middle great division, we find specimens of the classes enumerated as characteristic of the previous period, only modified in accordance with other features of that creation. In addition to these however, we have gigantic reptiles and birds, a few mammals and some dicotyledonous plants. Then comes the tertiary period, when the dicotyledon is king of the forest, when mammals of immense proportions are predominant, and reptiles are dwarfed into something like their present size. Thus throughout the two kingdoms we have a contemporaneous progression from the lower to the higher forms, as the earth is changed from an impracticable to the present world with all its beauteous creations, of which man is lord. We find no traces of his footsteps however, in the Palaeozoic or any other formation, until the earth has been made a fit and pleasant habitation for him and his seed for ever. Neither have we a plant of the higher orders, living together with animals or vegetable forms of low caste, during an early fossiliferous era. Tne sun did not then shine with his present benignity, not a bird looked down on its shadow in those dreary waters teeming with monsters, never did its notes sing of verdant plains, of pleasant groves, of fertile valley and bounteous river, but the discordant cries of fearful forms, the weak in their death agony, the strong rejoicing in their might, startled the echoes amid forests of fabulous extent and trees of eccentric appearance. In each and all of these periods of Geological history, we find certain classes of animals co-existing with consonant grades of vegetable productions. We find not a single departure from this rule, for throughout all the works of the great Creator there is a constant harmony.

"In reason's ear they all rejoice And utter forth a glorious voice, The hand that made us is divine!"