EOCENE PERIOD 
And long was Earth wrapt in her molten robe, 
Ere she became a habitable globe. 325 
Phenacodons, as in Columbia dwell, 
Are living here ; and Xiphodons foretell, 
Though hornless be they yet, the lithe Gazelle. 
Beasts, Palsotheria called, with hoggy manes, 
In goodly herds are pasturing on the plains. 330 
As sheep in size, horse-toothed, and hoofed they are ; 
And tapirs, blent with lamas, most appear : 
(And larger of their kind will pasture here.) 
Some long tailed Deer-like Pig-like forms have come, 
Of Donkey size, about these scenes to roam. 335 
Whilst in the marshes other beasts are stirring, 
Half Pig, half Hippopotamus appearing. 
The Horse-like Anchithers here meet our eyes, 
And seem as Shetland ponies as to size. 
And other beasts are on the pastures feeding, 340 
That though in form still Tapir like are leading 
Along a way, whose now beclouded course 
To Zebras points, the Donkey, and the Horse. 
But under all these comprehensive hides 
A Tapir genius, as it were, presides ; 345 
And Tapir beasts to-day, with haunts but few, 
Some pride might feel, if they their annals knew. 
Though up and down the Ethiope continent, 
Faint be the view the shadowy lands present, 
