CRETACEOUS PERIOD 
A turtle, crocodile and horned rhinoceros 
Rolled into one, his like we might possess. 
Crocodiles are far and wide a mighty host, 
As fish, bird, mammal well know to their cost. 
Some early forms of snakes are on the scene, 460 
Reposeful lying coiled up in the green. 
Come these from lizards, that in time past found 
Wriggling a fitter means to move on ground 
Than on short limbs, and so left limbless were ? 
For gifts unused all tend to disappear. 465 
Winged lizards huge are flying through the wild, 
And well may these be " Flying Dragons " styled : 
For some big creatures are careering here, 
That look like boats lateen-sailed in the air ; 
And, with their wings extended, breadth display 470 
Thrice what the Griffon vulture does to-day. 
The while the smaller forms toothed jaws can boast, 
Their brothers big their teeth have wholly lost. 
(Maybe this loss of teeth may progress show, 
For birds as they progressed did toothless grow.) 475 
How fare the mammals on this stirring scene ? 
Are they by reptile forces still hemmed in, 
And powerless to assert their sovereign rights, 
Moving in fear, as early Israelites ? 
So it would seem : for their advance appears 480 
But little marked since old Jurassic years. 
95 
