Nipadites ellipticus. Bow. Fossil palm of Sheppey.
The contiguity of land may be inferred not only from these vegetable productions, but also from the teeth and bones of crocodiles and turtles, since these creatures, as Mr. Conybeare has remarked, must have resorted to some shore to lay their eggs. Of turtles there were numerous species referred to extinct genera, and, for the most part, not equal in size to the largest living tropical turtles. A snake, which must have been 13 feet long, of the genus Palæophis before mentioned, has also been described by Mr. Owen from Sheppey, of a different species from that of Bracklesham. A true crocodile, also, Crocodilus toliapicus, and another Saurian more nearly allied to the gravial, accompany the above fossils. A bird allied to the vultures, and a quadruped of the new genus Hyracotherium, allied to the Hyrax, Hog, and Chæropotamus, are also among the additions made of late years to the palæontology of this division.
FOSSIL SHELLS OF THE LONDON CLAY.
Fig. 176. Mitra scabra.
Fig. 177. Rostellaria macroptera, Sow. One-third of nat. size.
Fig. 178. Crassatella sulcata.
The marine shells of the London clay confirm the inference derivable from the plants and reptiles of a high temperature. Thus, many species of Conus, Mitra, and Voluta occur, a large Cypræa, a very large Rostellaria, and shells of the genera Terebellum, Cancellaria, Crassatella, and others, with four or more species of Nautilus (see [fig. 182.]) and other cephalopoda of extinct genera, one of the most remarkable of which is the Belosepia.[202-A] (See [fig. 183.])