THE PRE-ADAMITE EARTH. 



in the seas, which were also animated by an infinite variety of 

 Mollusca Gastropods, Brachiopods, Lamellibranchia (fig. 177), 

 and Bryozoa (fig. 178). 



448. The shores of the seas were abundantly furnished with 

 marine vegetables. Of terrestrial animals, one genus of birds, 

 called Scolopax, has been |ound : and of land reptiles, two genera, 

 Leidon and Mosasaurus. The jaws of the latter are shown in 

 fig. 179. 



449. The geological convulsion which terminated this period, 



Fig. 179. Mosasaurus Camperi. 



according to M. D'Orbigny, was that which raised the chain of 

 the Cordilleras of Chili, the direction of which is N. 5. E. and 

 8. 5. W. 



SEVENTH CRETACEOUS PERIOD. 



450. In every point of view, this is the least important of the 

 periods, being the last stage of the decadence of the Cretaceous 

 age. This stage has no representative in the British strata. It 

 is identified by Sir C. Lyell with the Maestricht Jbeds, a group of 

 strata observed near that city, on the banks of the Metise, having 

 the thickness of about 100 feet. It rests upon the ordinary white 

 chalk and flints, which form the sixth Cretaceous stage, and 

 contains fossils, which, according to Sir C. Lyell, are, on the 

 whole, very peculiar, and all distinct from those of the Tertiary 

 age, which immediately succeeded it. 



451. The following is a general view of the fauna of this period, 

 so far as the fossil remains show it. 



116 



