PLIOCENE PERIOD 
Huge armadillos there now meet our eyes, 
That equal the rhinoceros in size ; 555 
And armoured well they are. Great sloths are there 
That in their size with elephants compare. 
Still size not always is an unmixed joy, 
And oft makes Nature big the forms she would destroy. 
What now of Austral that in times long gone, 560 
Was cut from Asia, and its wealthy zone ? 
Forced has it been, within sea-girt confines, 
To run its brute life on marsupial lines. 
But though it move upon a lower plane, 
Marsupial life can wondrous levels gain ; 565 
As here is proved. For pouched beasts we descry 
Equal in bulk to Hippopotami. 
Diprotodons are these ; but not to-day 
Like giants are seen. Other big forms display 
Points that attest their destiny unfixed, 570 
But seem they tapirs, kangaroos, and wombats mixed. 
Here kangaroos of donkey size are found, 
And so-called "devils" badger-like abound. 
Wombats are here : marsupial lions roar 
About the plains : hyaenas gaunt explore 575 
Dark woods and caves. Dogs, wolves and cats here thrive, 
Marsupials all and little rats here live 
