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A New Mare Internum

           Theretheystoodinthousands.Nolightcouldpenetratebetweentheirhugecones,andcompletedarknessreignedbeneaththosegiants;theyformedsettlementsofdomesplacedinclosearrayliketheround,thatchedroofsofacentralAfricancity.

           YetIwantedtopenetratefartherunderneath,thoughachillfelluponmeassoonasIcameunderthosecellularvaults.Forhalfanhourwewanderedfromsidetosideinthedampshades,anditwasacomfortableandpleasantchangetoarriveoncemoreupontheseashore.

           Butthesubterraneanvegetationwasnotconfinedtothesefungi.Fartheronrosegroupsoftalltreesofcolourlessfoliageandeasytorecognise.Theywerelowlyshrubsofearth,hereattaininggiganticsize;lycopodiums,ahundredfeethigh;thehugesigillaria,foundinourcoalmines;treeferns,astallasourfir-treesinnorthernlatitudes;lepidodendra,withcylindricalforkedstems,terminatedbylongleaves,andbristlingwithroughhairslikethoseofthecactus.

           "Wonderful,magnificent,splendid!"criedmyuncle."Hereistheentirefloraofthesecondperiodoftheworldthetransitionperiod.These,humblegardenplantswithus,weretalltreesintheearlyages.Look,Axel,andadmireitall.Neverhadbotanistsuchafeastasthis!"

           "Youareright,myuncle.Providenceseemstohavepreservedinthisimmenseconservatorytheantediluvianplantswhichthewisdomofphilosophershassosagaciouslyputtogetheragain."

           "Itisaconservatory,Axel;butisitnotalsoamenagerie?"

           "Surelynotamenagerie!"

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