MIOCENE PERIOD 
These though exposed to meet more frequent fate 
From divers Dog-like brutes insatiate, 
Had richer pastures found, and speed had gained 305 
More great than those that had in woods remained ; 
And can, when pressed, extend with race horse pace, 
And show clean heels to yelping packs in chase. 
Three toes indeed upon their feet remain, 
But lateral toes scarce any use retain. 310 
See Protohippus here, full stout has grown 
His middle toes, as he for long had thrown 
His whole weight there, dwarfing the side toes more 
Than e'er was seen in kindred forms before. 
With Pliohippus side toes nigh are gone, 315 
And merely hang as useless splints of bone. 
But farther progress must these creatures make 
Ere they the rank of true equines can take. 
Thus in Columbia does the new life thrive : 
And live not groups from which man will derive 320 
In times far off, when he has joined the strife, 
Fast friends and helpers for his daily life ? 
The whale- like Zeuglodonts that off these coasts, 
In Eocene times, pursued the finny hosts, 
Are seen no more : but forms in tooth allied, 325 
Though skulled more as the Dolphin, swim the tide. 
Others, in one jaw only, teeth possess, 
As with the Sperm-whales : others retrogress 
H7 
