CONTENTS 



CHAPTER PAGE 



INTRODUCTION 1 



I. HOW THE HISTORY OF THE PAST IS READ . 7 



II. DIVISIONS OF LIFE AND TIME .... 28 



III. THE ERA OF INVERTEBRATES .... 58 

 IV. THE COMING OF VERTEBRATES AND THE RISE 



OF FISHES . 85 



V. GREAT SALAMANDERS AND THEIR ASSOCIATES 113 



VI. THE REIGN OF REPTILES 143 



VII. EARLY BIRDS AND MAMMALS . . . .177 

 VIII. DRAGONS OF SEA AND AIR . . . .194 



IX. THE RISE OF THE MAMMALS .... 220 

 X. THE LIFE OF YESTERDAY . . . .251 



XI. LOOKING BACKWARD 274 



INDEX 287 



