PLIOCENE PERIOD 
Small chevrotains, tusked animals that bear 300 
Affinities to camels, pigs, and deer, 
And that indeed had in the Oligocene 
Amid Europa's life foreshadowed been, 
Are numerous now. Here too are camels passed 
From dubious states, and at their goal at last. 305 
As in the west giraffes, that more or less 
Features of elk and antelope possess, 
Frequent the scene. Here too allied forms live, 
Short-necked as all their brethren primitive, 
But who upon their massive foreheads bear 310 
Flat spreading horns, whilst lower down appear 
Two other horns, spike-like as brockets' are. 
Big brutes are these, and with the mastodon 
In limb and skull they bear comparison : 
Though of Giraffes they bear in tooth the sign, 315 
To Antelope and Ox they more incline. 
And if these Sivatheria semblance bear 
To what Giraffes in early stages were, 
Well parted seem the ways that once were near. 
Bandicoot and bamboo rats, in countless hosts 320 
Throughout the land, the Rodent Order boasts. 
In grassy lairs, and sunny warrened ground 
Prolific hares and rabbits wide abound. 
And porcupines their way have hither found. 
L 161 
