THE PRE-ADAMITE EARTH. 



363. A terrestrial fauna at length left traces of itsTexistence. 

 Mammifers now presented their first traces. Two land monsters, 

 referred to this class, found in this stage, have been called 

 Phascolotherium and Thylacotherium. Specimens of the lower 

 jaw of the former were found in the oolitic limestone of Stones- 

 field. It is a small animal allied to the Marsupial family, and 

 takes its name from the ^hascolomys of New South Wales. 



364. A great variety of species of ferns, Cicadece, and conifers 

 have been found among the remains of this period, with a few 

 Marsileacese, Lycopodiaceoe, and Equitacea}. 



Fig. 164. Phleboptcris Phillip.sii. 



365. One of the causes which are assigned to the catastrophe 

 which closed this fifth Jurassic period, is the sudden sinking of 

 the continent, which was elevated at the close of the palaeozoic 

 age, and which extended over Central and Northern Russia. This 

 vast tract was submerged during the sixth Jurassic period, and 

 the ocean at the same time flowed over the entire province of 

 Cutch in India. The sea also covered the department of the 

 Sarthe in France. Effects of this disturbance are traced in 

 France, even where no disturbance of strata exists by the state of 

 the superposed littoral deposits. Its effects are also seen in the 

 polishing of the superior strata at Lyons, showing the result of a 

 long- continued action of the waters. In fine, these indications 

 are confirmed by the complete destruction of the fauna and flora 

 of the period. 

 86 



