NEBULA TO MAN 
Is still retreating : and the coasts betray 
An outline more as that we see to-day. 
But still with Afric is Hispania joined, 
And still with Asia Grecia is combined. 
On either side the sloping Apennines 430 
Uplifted land has stretched Italia's lines. 
Yet as in wrath for land that she has lost, 
The sea has roused up Vulcan on the coast. 
Etna and Vesuvius now are rearing 
Great cindered homes of fire, domineering 435 
The neighbouring lands. And long must Life await 
Her chance to clothe these regions desolate. 
With old lands gone that barred the northern sea, 
Great must the changes now in sea life be. 
From far old arctic haunts molluskan hosts 440 
Are working down towards Europa's coasts. 
And many groups that here had thrived of old 
Must southward move, or perish of the cold. 
Whilst seal and walrus to the south can roam, 
And here indeed have some already come. 445 
More cool upon the land has climate grown, 
And on north scenes much plant-life is undone. 
For save in sheltered places here and there, 
No tender plants can breathe the changing air. 
But firs and yews, and all deciduous trees 450 
That here have braved the battle and the breeze 
166 
