NEBULA TO MAN 
Of Ammonoids the smooth-shelled Goniatites 
Are now in force ; and so named Clymenites, 
Another family, now first are found, 
In spiral shells with stripe-like pattern bound. 75 
Sea-scorpions from good living now are grown 
To giant size, and more than hold their own. 
" Sea-lilies " boast new species in their throng, 
Star-fishes more developed glide along. 
New forms and types appear in Coral ranks, 80 
And some are busy building reefs and banks. 
Small Shrimp-like forms are darting to and fro 
In sandy shoals, and high-tide overflow : 
And lower life, in spite of stress and change, 
Fills up its gaps, and widens out its range. 85 
Whilst now the sea-weeds, spreading fast and free, 
Deck with new forms the gardens of the sea ; 
Rejoicing in the warm and humid airs 
In greater wealth the verdant land appears. 
On creeping stems the psilophyton spreads 90 
Its crosiered branchlets o'er the marshy beds ; 
The huge club-mosses now have wider hold 
Of soil enriched by vegetable mould : 
And from their fruitful cones wind-carried spores 
Are bringing feature to the farthest moors. 95 
The sigillaria, on boggy lands, 
A tall leafed pillar, held by cord roots, stands. 
26 
