При движении от моря вглубь суши картина меняется. Лишайники, несколько приземистых низкорослых растений. Другие случайные животные: некоторые из них членистоногие, а немногие – позвоночные. Вся остальная часть мира – пустыня, царство жары и смерти.
Птиц больше нет. Также исчезли и амфибии. Целые классы, и даже типы исчезают теперь с лица Земли, словно актёры со сцены, когда пьеса заканчивается.
Всё ещё существуют ящерицы и змеи, скорпионы и тараканы.
И люди.
Все человечество, или то, что от него осталось, теперь живёт под землёй, в более прохладных тайниках Земли. Всё выглядит так, словно, хотя бы отчасти, сбылось видение Г. Дж. Уэллса. В некотором смысле люди стали его морлоками, пещерным видом. От растущего солнца исходит слишком сильное излучение, чтобы люди могли подолгу оставаться на поверхности планеты. В силу необходимости человечество должно было скрыться под землёй, став новыми муравьями планеты. Но люди ненамного изменились физически. Они знают, что конец уже близок. Нет никакого пути, чтобы уйти, никакой дороги в другие, более молодые миры. Космос оказался слишком обширным, другие планеты Солнечной системы – слишком негостеприимными, а звёзды – слишком далёкими. Их Планета Земля стара и умирает. Они не оплакивают множество животных, которые некогда жили на Земле. Трудно помнить вещи, которые случились 500 миллионов лет назад.
Когда-то у эволюции было будущее.
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