How many of you know this Book?

Thought you all might enjoy the Introduction in this book:

Conpared with the ages that are gone the reptile life upon our globe has decreased, in the dimensions and bulk of it's representatives, to mere parasitic proportions. There was a time when a bird's-eye view of the earth's surface would have revealed varied, monstrous forms lumbering here and there, reveling in an atmosphere reeking with humidity; some browsing in giraffe-like fashion among high branches, others churning through the sea in pursuit of their prey; even in the murky atmosphere itself cold-blooded creatures flapped their way like gigantic bats in search of equally gigantic insects. At the present day a comprehensive view of the globe's surface would show no trace of reptile life. We might make clear by an illustration the size of reptiles of the past as compared with those of the present. The gaudy butterflies, the clumsy June "bugs" and "darning-needles" are forms apparent to the eyes of manin a walking posture. Suppose they were all extinct; the tiny ants, the microscopic beetles, and the gnats forming the major part of our incest life would be insignificant and unseen; their presence would be apparent only to the interested observer crouching to look for them. And we can well compare the reptiles of the present with the legions of tiny insects, after we have examined the rock-imprisioned giants of the past. More over, a great number of the living reptiles are degenerating--adopting subterraneous habits with a consequent loss of eyes and ears. Others have become greatly specialized in the development of adhesive digits with which to climb, or wonderful instruments for the injection of a deadly venom. Then, in the zenith of their perfection, some of them have gradually swung into secretive habits producing an incongruous mixture of degenerating form attended by various highly specialized processes.

would put more of the intro but it's like 3 pages long lol, hope you all enjoy!