NEBULA TO MAN 
Still more ; for all their teeth are sloughed away, 
As with the toothless " Whalebones " of to-day. 3-30 
Thus has degraded life, that in back days 
Forsook the land to haunt the watery ways, 
Of more degenerate signs become possessed, 
Or rather has slow downwardly progressed. 
Across the line the southern continent, 335 
Increased in Carbon times to great extent, 
Now higher lies ; and with a breadth more wide 
By uplifts pushing back the eastern tide. 
Indeed the eastlands here and there outstretch 
Three hundred miles past where to-day they reach. 340 
About the wilds carnivorous creatures rove, 
But few of these appear to rise above 
Marsupial state. Whilst hoofed beasts wander here, 
The Toxodons so named, not known elsewhere. 
But sloths and ant-eaters seem most to thrive, 345 
And armadillos all these here countless live. 
Whilst flat-nosed monkeys here and there are found 
To give a tone, as 'twere, to life around : 
Seeming indeed as they had crossed the seas 
A light to bring, as might some missionaries. 350 
148 
