NEBULA TO MAN 
Are also here. Far from the pebbly shores 
Wander abroad huge long-necked plesiosaurs : 330 
And some there are that far surpass in size 
Those of Europa's seas and estuaries. 
Elasmosaurus, giant of the host, 
Some fifty feet from snout to tail can boast, 
(And half his length is of his neck composed) ; 335 
And looks he as some wingless bird and nude 
Rolled up with some huge serpent, and endued 
With power to swim. Turtles are in the sea, 
Or basking on its shores complacently. 
Sea-snakes are also lurking here and there, 340 
And longer too than what Europa's are. 
Upon the vast and scattered territory 
That lies in horse-shoe shape about the sea, 
Life long has prospered, and abundant grown : 
For land has here not such subsidence known 345 
As in Europa's realm ; but has upborne 
Vast sea-free breadths ere since the Carbon dawn. 
Rejoicing here in mild and humid air 
Luxuriant ferns and cycads range afar. 
Here grow some early palms, with fan-like leaves, 350 
Gracing the scene : here too their relatives 
Screw-pines of old Jurassic days are thriving, 
And junipers, allied to firs, are living. 
90 
