MODERN PERIOD 
Mere specks of life abound through land and sea, 
The Protozoa called, and these may be 
But little changed from their first ancestry. 
In varying depths Sponges here live and thrive, 50 
Some simply formed of cup shape primitive ; 
Others whose finely wrought and complex frames, 
And dainty looks have won for them the names, 
" Flower Basket of Venus," and " Mermaids' Gloves." 
Along the coasts in bays and silent coves, 55 
Live divers coloured, and of varying size, 
" The roses of the sea," anemones. 
Cup-shaped, and disc like jelly-fish abound, 
Stinging and seizing varied prey around. 
As " Venus Girdles," other kinds are known, 60 
Side lengthened forms to shape of ribbon grown. 
Corals, seen far far back, in Cambrian brine, 
Keep up in various forms their ancient line. 
Some still there are that solitary abide, 
And cast their buds, far carried by the tide. 65 
Whilst social kinds, in persevering hosts, 
Small isles embrace, and reef off tropic coasts, 
As in the past. Creatures of " hedgehog " skin, 
Echinoderms called, (and in Sea-urchin seen, 
And Star-fish, and " Sea-lily " long of old), 70 
In various forms still keep on life their hold, 
o 209 
