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It's the fossilized resin of ancient pine trees. And trapped within it, are perfectly preserved souvenirs, each fragment helping to build a picture of an ancient world. This resin has also trapped something that marks a great turning point in evolution--hair. Its presence indicates the rise of a new dynasty in Europe--the mammals. These subtropical forests were home to a huge variety of these creatures. From kangaroo-like carnivores and tapirs to anteaters and even miniature horses. 15 million years ago, the mammals were evolving at an astonishing rate. From just one site of Messo in Germany, dozens of different species of fossil mammal have been unearthed. Today, their more recognizable descendants occupy virtually every niche right across Europe.
As Europe's new fauna took centre stage, the continent itself was undergoing another decisive step towards completion. Signs of this can be found here on the western fringe of the continent, along the remote cliffs of islands on Northwest Scotland. These spectacular coasts are built of compacted volcanic ash and lava. There are visible remains of ancient eruptions that cover thousands of square kilometers
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words and expressions
resin: (n.) Any of numerous clear to translucent yellow or brown, solid or semisolid, viscous substances of plant origin, such as copal, rosin, and amber, used principally in lacquers, varnishes, inks, adhesives, synthetic plastics, and pharmaceuticals. 树脂
tapir: (n.) Any of several large, chiefly nocturnal, odd-toed ungulates of the genus Tapirus of tropical America, the Malay Peninsula, and Sumatra, related to the horse and the rhinoceros, and having a heavy body, short legs, and a long, fleshy, flexible upper lip. 【动】貘任
anteater: (n.) Any of several tropical American mammals of the family Myrmecophagidae, which lack teeth and feed on ants and termites, especially Myrmecophaga tridactyla, having an elongated, narrow snout, a long, sticky tongue, and an extended, shaggy-haired tail. 食蚁兽
niche: (n.) The particular area within a habitat occupied by an organism. 【生态学】生物居所的特定区间
fauna: (n.) Animals, especially the animals of a particular region or period, considered as a group. 动物群
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