CRETACEOUS PERIOD 
But in the depths in regions far and wide 
Their solitary brethren still abide. 
New forms of star-fish sluggish move along ; 1 50 
Sea-urchin life is now a numerous throng 
Of various forms ; and in its legions here 
Has reached from long, and oft hard-pressed career, 
A golden age. " Sea-lilies " too around 
Alike of stalked, and stalkless forms abound. 155 
No loss or gain the " Lamp-shells " seem to show, 
But though their tide of fortune still is low, 
And upstart groups no longer meet our eyes, 
Still linger on some ancient families. 
The Ammonoids, though fated not to see 160 
Good days again, are struggling gallantly. 
Dwelling in old Silurian days in shells 
Compacted close, with simple spiral whorls ; 
Then, various formed, struggling long periods through, 
Till in the Trias they their zenith knew, 165 
They long with cuttle Belemnites had held 
Wide range and power in the Mollusk world. 
And now they rise to meet the altering state, 
Like nations arming new from date to date. 
Whilst some have shells coiled closely as of old, 1 70 
Others have shells in crozier shapes unrolled : 
And some in shells of handle form are here ; 
Others in shells as straight as rods appear ; 
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