NEBULA TO MAN 
Palm-looking Cycads, off-shoots of the ferns, 
Spread through the woods, and clamber up the burns : 
Ambitious growths, that in the age at hand, 
Will overthrow much plant-life through the land. 25 
The Trilobites, that in Silurian seas, 
Held in their ranks a thousand species, 
Girding the earth, but long since on the wane, 
Now but in few and stunted forms remain. 
The rugose corals now are forced to go, 30 
And even " Lamp-shell " life is falling low. 
And Goniatites that long had prosperous been, 
And shewn adaptive powers, now scarce are seen. 
Indeed much humble life, in many climes, 
Seems ill-adapted to the changing times. 35 
But polyzoa thrive ; and water-fleas 
Still pass snug muddy lives in shallow seas. 
" Sea-urchin " forms of old we still can trace, 
But members, more developed, of their race 
Are now abroad, ere long to take their place. 40 
Amid the change, pearl-oysters, nautili, 
And ark and mussel forms fare prosperously. 
Some species new of fishes take their rise, 
And ganoids here are seen of giant size. 
But no forms here to bony strength attain, 45 
And all of gristly substance still remain. 
4 o 
