and, in perhaps only a matter of centuries,而僅僅過了幾個世紀

a matter of 關于 ... 的問題； 大約

It is a matter of life and death for them.

這事對他們來說是生死攸關。

It may be a matter of months before it's ready.

要準備好可能得數月時間。

In evolutionary terms, that's no time at all在進化過程中那算不上什么

at all完全； 根本

I assure you that you will feel no pain at all.

我保證你根本不會覺得疼的。

I don't think that's a bad idea at all.

我看這完全不是個壞主意。

and life has had little chance to adapt to this new world.生靈們幾乎沒有可能適應這個新環境

adapt to適應

The new students are very slow to adapt to the rules.

新生對于那些規定適應得很慢。

You must adapt to the norms of the society you live in.

在社會中生活就要遵循社會行為準則。