NEBULA TO MAN 
And other less fierce-toothed, of looks less grim, 
Are Badger-sized ; whilst small as rats some seem. 
Here in these Cat-like animals we see 
In early forms the highest family 125 
Of all the Carnivores : the group that holds 
Lions, tigers, leopards, pumas in its folds : 
And in whose ranks the home-bred cat to-day 
Can claim a place, though humble be its prey. 
Here long legged Weasel-looking creatures range, 130 
Filled with ferocious blood, time ne'er will change. 
And forms are here where looms the Dog more bold 
Than did he in those compound forms of old, 
Where Civet, Bear, and Dog in one were rolled. 
The "gnawing" tribes are spreading far and wide : 135 
And small forms roam to Dormice close allied. 
Forms Squirrel-like are scampering in the woods, 
Or dozing in their tree-top solitudes ; 
And Otter-looking creatures swim the floods. 
Some Rat-like, Hamster forms, are in the meads, 140 
And some forecast Brazil's small spiny breeds. 
Forms insectivorous too about we see, 
That may the fathers of the Hedgehogs be. 
Shrews, Moles, and Desmans, that in times gone by 
Through compound forms had peeped out timidly, 145 
Have, as it were, from ancient quarters crept, 
And into Life's arena boldly stepped. 
126 
