NEBULA TO MAN 
What forms " four-handed "in these regions live ? 
What prospect here of Man does Nature give ? 
Some Primates here still dwell, albeit not free, 
And far are they from seats of dignity 455 
Encompassed by brute force on every side, 
On boughs of trees they chiefly must reside ; 
And on their wit and nimbleness depend, 
And more in flight, than fight, themselves defend. 
But though less links with Creodonts they hold, 460 
And insectivorous forms of days of old, 
Still do they in low Lemur stage remain ; 
And though signs be they higher grades may gain, 
To Monkeys none as yet, or Apes attain. 
Be Nature's wish and effort e'er so keen 465 
A mammal life to bring upon the scene, 
That can on two feet stand, and stand erect, 
Yet does she not her limbless forms neglect. 
Here flourish these, and in the woods and brakes, 
From Lizards sprung, live Boa-constrictor snakes. 470 
And though much Reptile life is swept away, 
The Snakes at least are yet to have their day. 
What now of finny life about the seas, 
That restless press Columbia's territories ? 
Sharks, ganoids, perch and herring here are swimming ; 475 
But forms there are all other groups bedimming. 
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