38 
An Address to Fossil Bones. [ January, 
Rares. 30 Fi STK 
My dearest cousin, several times removed, 
Since you have called me from the vasty deep 
To witness how our race has been improved, 
Pray hear my answer ere you go to sleep. 
And first I hold that it is not polite, 
To call relations by such horrid names 
As Hadro-mosa-sauri, which excite 
Suspicion of the justness of your claims. 
You seem in fact to have ransacked your brains 
To find some endless word to suit my bones, 
I'll take some little pity on your pains, 
And tell you plainly that “my name is Jones!” 
And I was born so very long before 
Your puny race appeared upon the earth, 
That human fancy ne’er may hope to soar 
Back to the bygone age which saw my birth. 
That to each other we have not been known, 
Is owing to your most egregious fault; 
For this confounded piece of marly stone, 
Has served for ages for my burial vault. 
Your ancient Scripture cannot be so old 
Or nigh as perfect as this mass of rocks 
In which the patient seeker may behold 
Foundations of a faith most orthodox. 
, 
It is not treating me as I deserve 
To end the monad series with a man, 
Presumption founded on some extra nerve 
Which you possess, does not destroy the plan. 
Be warned in time lest overbearing pride 
May be the chief occasion of your fall, 
Let future beings ’twixt us beth decide, 
Which was the master and which was the thrall. 
Farewell! my voice is now forever hushed, 
No more to be evoked by prose or rhyme; 
The hue of health which once my temples flushed 
Has changed to that of carbonate of lime! 
Farewell! at least until the end of time. 
