all the said layers of water-built rocks signs of past life.

As already stated, much of this life was ocean-life, though not all.

Below the sea, as the rock-layers were being formed, bit by bit, of
earth dropping from the ocean to the ocean's floor, sea-creatures
lived out their lives and died by thousands, to sink to that same
floor. Millions passed away, dissolving and leaving no trace behind;
but thousands were preserved--shells often, animals sometimes.

Nor was this all. For now and again some part of the sea-bottom was
upheaved, slowly or quickly, till it became dry land. On this dry land
animals lived again, and thousands of them, too, died, and their bones
crumbled into dust. But here and there one was caught in bog or frost,
and his remains were preserved till, through lapse of ages, they
turned to stone.

Yet again that land would sink, and over it fresh layers were formed
by the ocean-waters, with fresh remains of sea-animals buried in with
the layers of sand or lime; and once more the sea-bottom would rise,
perhaps then to continue as dry land, until the day when man should
discover and handle these hidden remains.

Now note a remarkable fact as to these fossils, scattered far and wide
through the layers of stratified rock.

In the uppermost and latest built rocks the animals found are the
same, in great measure, as those which now exist upon the earth.

Leaving the uppermost rocks, and examining those which lie a little