OF TILGATE FOREST. 
285 
Lonchopterifiy of still lesser growth, being abundant 
every where. It is easy to conceive what would 
be the appearance of the valleys and plains covered 
with these ])lants, from that presented by modern 
tracts, where the common ferns generally prevail. 
But the loftier vegetables were so entirely distinct 
from any that are now known to exist in Euro})can 
countries, that we seek in vain for any thing, at 
all analogous, without the tro})ics. The forests of 
Clatht'aricp, and Knd()genit{P (the plants of which, 
like some of the recent arborescent ferns, j)robably 
attained a height of thirty or forty feet), must 
have borne a much greater resemblance to those 
of troj)ical regions, than to any that now occur in 
tem])erate climates. I'hat the .soil was of a sandy 
nature on the hills and less elevated parts of the 
country, and argillaceous in the plains and marshes, 
may be inferred, from the vegetable remains, and 
from the nature of the substances in which they 
are enclosed. Sand and clay every where prevail 
in the Hastings strata ; nor is it unworthy of 
remark, that the recent vegetables to which the 
fossil plants bear the greatest analogy, affect soils 
of this description. If we attempt to portray 
the animals of this ancient country, our descrip- 
tion will possess more of the character of romance', 
than of a legitimate deduction from established 
facts. Turtles of various kinds, must have been 
seen on the banks of its rivers or lakes, and groups 
of enormous crocodiles basking in the fens and 
shallows. 
The gigantic Megalo.sauru.Sy and yet more gi- 
gantic Iguanodon, to whom the groves of palms and 
