NEBULA TO MAN 
Rhinoceros forms like those of Eocene days, 
Hornless and four-toed, no longer wend their ways, 
As it would seem : but forms more close akin 
To those that live to-day are on the scene. 280 
And though of new forms some may hornless be, 
The toes of such have dwindled now to three. 
And some there are that on a long drawn snout 
Have two small horns transversely sticking out. 
But not these " new world " lands will ever see 285 
The later fortunes of the family. 
The while these various groups have thus progressed, 
No less to states advanced have horses pressed. 
More tall they stand, and forms here meet our eyes 
That are as Shetland ponies as to size. 290 
Yet in their teeth and feet they chiefly bear 
Their signs of progress o'er the forms that were ; 
In teeth more finely wrought, and stronger crowned, 
In feet with lateral toes well off the ground. 
About the forests forms indeed we meet, 29 c 
That wend their way on spreading three-toed feet : 
(And as through marshy woodlands wide they rove, 
Oft will expanded feet a safety prove.) 
But not these forest dwellers hold the place 
Of chiefs and leaders of the equine race : 
But to the forms that o'er the open plains 
Had wandered far that dignity pertains. 
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