134 EVOLUTION IN THE PAST 



evidence is found in other parts of Europe ; whilst in North 

 America palms and bananas were thriving in latitudes that 

 now are temperate. 



The heat, however trying to many of the more robust 

 forest trees, did not wholly overcome them. Oaks, planes, 

 beeches and other deciduous growths, if banished from the 

 lowlands, could still live and prosper on neighbouring hiU- 

 heights, and high table-lands. 



The warmth was doubtless welcome to the reptiles. These 

 animals, it is true, had been deposed from leadership in 

 creation, but they continued to play a great part in Nature's 

 economy. 



CROCODILES Crocodiles were present in vast numbers ; and many of 

 the waterways must have been held by them in force. The 

 ability to drown prey, without self-drowning, had now 

 become the common heritage of all crocodiles. Earth, there- 

 fore, was not a complete elysium, even for the most powerful 

 of the mammals. 



ALLIGATORS Alligators, known only in North America in the last 

 Period, were now displaying their physiognomy in Europe 

 (Diplocynodon). 



CHELONIANS Chelonians were widely dispersed, and in greater variety 

 than in Cretaceous times. Descendants of some Cretaceous 

 tortoises of amphibious habits had now quitted the dangerous 

 vicinity of crocodiles, having taken to residing permanently 

 on land (Hadrianus). Here they must have competed with 

 birds, as well as with lemurs and other mammals, in raids 

 on worms, snails, and insects ; but some of them, no doubt, 

 were becoming vegetarians. Among those that continued 

 land-and-water habits, some differed very little from the 

 marsh-tortoises of our own time (Emys). Descendants 

 also were on the scenes of forms that, so far back as in 

 Triassic times, had been experimenting with elongated necks. 

 The experiment was meeting with some success ; for well- 

 developed long-necked creatures were now in evidence 

 (Rhinemys). The long neck, no doubt, brought advantages in 

 the matter of obtaining food, and of keeping a good look-out 

 against dangers. But it had its risks, for it could not be 

 drawn back within the walls of the carapace. Long-necked 



