CRETACEOUS PERIOD 
Icythosaurs and plesiosaurs still abound, 
Holding in check the finny life around. 
For Nature, to be just, must needs maintain 
A balance in Life's manifold domain. 
And now some reptiles in the sea appear, 255 
That look as strange as any ever there. 
Indeed 'twould seem as if gigantic snakes, 
Forsaking haunts in woods and ferny brakes, 
Had come their fortunes in the sea to try, 
As had the icthyosaurs in times gone by. 260 
The Mososaurs are these, and here we see 
Sires of " Great Sea-Serpents," if these will be. 
Whilst through the scene the wondrous changes pass, 
Mixed fortunes life on shore is called to face. 
But through Europa's land, much though be gone, 265 
The lamp of Life, though flickering, still burns on. 
On isles and ridges jutting through the sea, 
And still wide breadths of northern territory, 
Pines, ferns, and cycads still uprear their heads, 
Beside their brethren lost in briny beds. 270 
Stealing from holes and corners here and there, 
Small snake-like lizards seek the sunny air. 
Dinosaurs still haunt the shores and woods, 
Holding their own 'mid all vicissitudes ; 
And through the enisled and much diminished lands, 275 
With greater ease are raiding mammal bands. 
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