﻿JURASSIC PERIOD 89 



like sigillariae had wholly succumbed. In some regions gingko 

 or maidenhair trees — conifers with fern affinities — were in 

 a condition of great luxuriance ; but the cycads with 

 vesselled seeds (Bennettitece) continued, so far as is known, 

 the most highly organised forms in plant-life. Ferns also 

 were in great profusion, and those of newer type were greatly 

 extending their range (Leptosporangiates). Among these, 

 Male ferns (Aspidium), Bracken (Pteris) and Hart's Tongue 

 (Scolopendriuni) had now appeared ; and the family to 

 which Royal Ferns belong — still retaining some special 

 features of ferns of the older type — attained its zenith 

 (Ostnundacece). 



Although it is not known that any angiosperms — the most 

 highly organised of plants now living — had as yet appeared, 

 it is highly probable that grasses and other simple growths 

 with " vesselled " seeds were amid the vegetation. It is 

 thought by many that angiosperms had for some time been 

 in course of development in far northerly regions, where 

 climate had not compelled migrations southward. Genial 

 conditions were certainly prevailing in this Period on lands 

 well within the arctic circle, for cycads were flourishing in 

 Spitzbergen. The far north, therefore, may well have had 

 some surprises in store. 



Insects — especially wood-eating beetles — were abundant, insects 

 May-flies of many species flitted about ; and dragon-flies, 

 more or less developed in Carboniferous times, had now 

 become differentiated into a distinct family (Odonata). 

 There were also many kinds of insects unknown in earlier 

 times — mosquitoes (Culicidce), gnats (Chironomidce), ants 

 (Forrnicidce), crickets (Gryllus), earwigs (Baseopsis), and 

 termites (Terrnitidce). The busy bee was also now abroad 

 (Apiaria). 



About the marshes, lakes, and rivers no amphibians of amphibians 

 giant size were now to be seen ; and this class of life seems 

 to have been represented only by small newts and salamanders 

 of primitive type (Hylceobatrachus). Amphibians, owing to 

 the wonderful developments of reptile-life, were now to play 

 a quite insignificant role in Nature's economy. 



Reptiles rose to their zenith ; and their power was pro- reptiles 



