TRIASSIC PERIOD 
With bodies turning to the shape of whales, 
And urged along by two-lobed, fish-like tails, 
And fore and hind limbs changed to fish-like fins, 
And finny crests slow gathering from their skins, 
Indeed as fishes have they now become, 305 
And never more on land will seek a home. 
But whilst some groups their ancient land-haunts leave, 
And seek, afloat, their fortunes to retrieve : 
'Tis on the land that Nature highest reaches, 
'Tis on the land the path to glory stretches. 310 
And now ere falls the Trias from Time's hand, 
Creatures, than reptiles nobler, move on land. 
For from their low-life prison of the past, 
Some mammal forms are breaking through at last. 
Strange rat-sized creatures now are in the woods, 315 
Seeking, in timid raids, promiscuous foods. 
And well for them if they escape the jaws 
Of crocodiles, sharp-toothed, and dinosaurs. 
For though of life on earth they are the head, 
'Tis not a path of roses that they tread ; 320 
And, just as Man when he found place on earth, 
Hedged are they round with danger from their birth. 
Small Monotremes are some : egg-laying creatures 
That still retain in structure reptile features ; 
But yet with milky juices from the breast 325 
Nourish their young, as all the Mammal host. 
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