and, in perhaps only a matter of centuries,而仅仅过了几个世纪

a matter of 关于 ... 的问题； 大约

It is a matter of life and death for them.

这事对他们来说是生死攸关。

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

要准备好可能得数月时间。

In evolutionary terms, that's no time at all在进化过程中那算不上什么

at all完全； 根本

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

我保证你根本不会觉得疼的。

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

我看这完全不是个坏主意。

and life has had little chance to adapt to this new world.生灵们几乎没有可能适应这个新环境

adapt to适应

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

新生对于那些规定适应得很慢。

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

在社会中生活就要遵循社会行为准则。