NEBULA TO MAN 
No forms are yet amongst them that surpass 
The lowest orders of the milky class. 
Still are they all, as in the long gone years, 
To Spiny ant-eaters, and phalangers, 485 
Duck-bills, rat-kangaroos and such-like kin. 
But higher forms will soon invade the scene. 
And could our eyes from these shores look afar, 
And parts of Asia view and Africa, 
Perchance these higher forms we might behold : 490 
But there has Time thick mists unfathomed rolled. 
Birds varied more than 'neath Europa's skies 
Here haunt the bays and rocky promontories. 
Sea-fowl are in and out the briny tide, 
To plunging Grebes and Divers near allied ; 495 
Birds too the Cormorant like here dive and swim, 
And now and then is heard a Gull's shrill scream : 
Keen fishers are they all, and in their jaws 
Are teeth, bequeathed by reptile ancestors. 
Mexico is now well risen through the sea, 500 
And miles of ridges, that in time will be 
The Rocky Mountains are abreast the deep. 
Whilst further south upcoming Andes peep 
Above the brine. And land-raids seas have made 
Will now, and in good measure, be repaid. 505 
Australia's western land stands in the sea 
A big broad isle of fertile territory. 
96 
