TRIASSIC PERIOD 71 



The flower-bearing cordaites had failed in their compe- cordaites 

 tition with other seed-producing plants, and had become 

 extinct ; whilst cycad-ferns had been entirely superseded cycad-ferns 

 by offshoot forms describable as true cycads. The latter as 

 a rule were short-stemmed plants, but some bore their 

 feathery crowns on stems ten feet in height. 



Cycads, moreover, were in evidence on various paths of cycads 

 development. Some seem to have been on the lines of the 

 modern Zamia (Zamites) ; others on the lines of the AustraUan 

 Cycas. The most remarkable of all are not now represented in 

 the plant world (Bennettitece) ; and they were of much higher 

 organisation than any cycads now living. Fair-sized star- 

 like flowers, possibly of greenish hue, stood out among the 

 foliage ; and the fruit resembled in structure that of angio- 

 sperms — the most highly developed of living plants. The 

 seeds, therefore, being enclosed or " vesselled " in an ovary, 

 were much better protected and cared for than the " naked " 

 seeds of conifers. Apparently these highly developed cycads 

 held the leadership in the leafy world : and the greater care 

 they took of their seeds marked an advance in what may be 

 called the morality of plant -life. 



How far insects were assisting in the development of insects 

 vegetation it is impossible to say. Doubtless these Httle 

 creatures were increasing in variety, and changing their 

 tastes and habits from time to time. Various kinds of beetles 

 were certainly now in existence (CarabidcB, Buprestidce, 

 etc.) ; but bees and butterflies, so far as is known, were 

 yet to come ; as were also the various flowering plants 

 to which they are specially helpful in the matter of 

 fertilisation. 



It will be necessary to return to Triassic lands. Mean- 

 while our glance must be directed to the submerged 

 masses. 



Invertebrate life — no longer in a pitiable condition — 

 attested the sweet uses of adversity. Sponges with Ume sponges 

 spicules — first known in the Devonian — were flourishing in 

 various shapes and sizes {Eudea, etc.). They seem to have 

 been especially prosperous in central Europe, a large portion 

 of which was at this time under water. 



