NEBULA TO MAN 
Thick stretch their shells, their pearly, porcelain homes, 
As pigmy spires, minarets, and domes. 
Well nigh all genera of to-day are here, 505 
Though hosts of species will disappear. 
Ammonoids and Belemnites long are gone, 
But Nautili, as creaking doors, hang on. 
The golden age of Lamp-shells too is past, 
But spite of evil fortunes still they last ; 510 
Like some old tree, a wreck of former days, 
Bearing, where once it branched, but twigs and sprays. 
From toils which Change has woven round their state, 
" Sea-lilies " scarce themselves can liberate. 
Corals, old-formed, have well nigh died away, 515 
Surpassed by forms, like those that live to-day. 
But Nummulite coins still fall on briny plains, 
Already strewn with endless life remains. 
How wondrous, Nature, grows thy scene around, 
And not a soul is here thy praise to sound ! 520 
I 20 
