NEBULA TO MAN 
Both great and small, in spite of civil wars, 
Wide through Europa range the carnivores : 
Ferocious creatures, as it were let free 75 
To eat their way to world-wide mastery. 
Old civet-bear-dog forms of times long gone, 
In spite of evolutions, still live on. 
But though these forms ancestral still survive, 
With larger hopes ahead their offshoots live ; 80 
And here such forms indeed already thrive. 
For rid of old associates dogs are here ; 
So too is seen the long foreshadowed bear. 
Small he may be, but oft in small way start 
Ambitious lives, that on new lines depart. 85 
As living agents from the halls of Death, 
The Cat-like tiger forms with tusky teeth 
Are rampant now ; and well may horse and deer 
On tiptoe speed, when such grim forms are near. 
Of ancient Horse-like breeds but few are found, 90 
Though still the Anchithers, so named, abound. 
But these though numerous now, and bigger too, 
Seem not on lines that lead to Horses true. 
(How oft in Nature from one stock arise 
Groups that await wide different destinies.) 95 
Some smaller forms, the Hippotheria called, 
Seem now as in the foremost rank installed. 
138 
