NEBULA TO MAN 
And on they run, and join Germania's sea 
That holds Britannia's south-east territory. 
And 'mid this scene of palms ; in tropic heats ; 200 
'Mid turtle haunts, and crocodiles' retreats, 
To waters where the saw-fish finds a home, 
And sea-snakes, long as boa-constrictors, roam, 
Down rolls the river with its freights of clay, 
To heap the ground where London stands to-day. 205 
About the swamps, and on the riverside 
Wade goose-like birds to ancient forms allied. 
True teeth they lack : yet have they rough-edged jaws, 
With sharp and tooth-like points, as blades of saws. 
But here they are as creatures of the past, 210 
Benighted forms, of Mohicans the last. 
For birds abound, whose smooth horned bills betoken 
Another link with reptile lineage broken. 
Small active forms Kingfisher-like they seem 
Dwell on the banks, and o'er the waters skim. 215 
And birds resembling Herons search the stream. 
P'lat-chested waders too are fishing here 
That Emu, Ostrich, Moa like appear. 
Whilst on the rocks small vultures rest and ponder, 
And o'er the seas birds Albatross-like wander. 220 
More than Europa is Columbia rife 
With new arrivals of the higher life. 
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