CAINOZOIC AGE 



MIOCENE PERIOD 



VEGETATION THE high temperature continued in Europe for some time 

 during this Period, and the central lands of the continent 

 remained rich with sub-tropical vegetation. Meanwhile the 

 hardier growths had pressed far to the north. Conifers, 

 poplars, hazels, oaks, limes, walnuts and various other trees 

 were now thriving in Spitzbergen, North Greenland, and 

 other lands within the arctic circle. Some indeed were well 

 within 600 miles of the pole. 



In the course of the Period, some decline of the European 

 temperature took place, for palms began to languish ; and 

 conifers, grasses, and various deciduous trees reoccupied 

 portions of their lost southern territory. The reduction in 

 the heat, however, cannot have been very great ; for 

 camphor and cinnamon trees continued in abundance ; and 

 palms, though greatly reduced in number, were not entirely 

 suppressed. 



Remains of several familiar flowering plants have been 

 found in Miocene strata. Irises, pinks, clematis, poppies, 

 violets, and* roses were here and there in bloom. Heather was 

 spreading over highland scenes. And plum trees, almond 

 trees, and pineapple plants were ripening their fruit in the 

 Miocene sunshine. 



PRIMATES Bright and bounteous though the landscapes must have 

 been, and congenial the clime, lemurs or half-monkeys seem 

 to have deserted Europe at the beginning of the Period. The 

 Primate Order, however, came to be represented on the 

 continent by creatures of higher stamp. There had, indeed, 

 been promise of such in former times, although the evidence 

 is scanty enough. It is certain, however, that in the course 



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