NEBULA TO MAN 
The wriggling, long established world of Worms 
Is here alive with many divers forms ; 
Twisting and twirling as their task were set 
The signs to trace of every alphabet. 75 
Earth-worms, Sea-worms, leeches and " tubes " abound, 
Worms " arrow " called and " tape," worms " flat " and " round," 
Worms " whirl " and " thread," and worms as scissors bound. 
No less in wealth the " crusted " world appears, 
As flower and fruit of untold bygone years. 80 
Shrimps, lobsters and the like in shallow seas 
In various tribes abound, and families. 
Waterfleas, foiling the ravages of Time, 
Still thrive in muddy haunts in many a clime, 
Seeming indeed eternal as the slime. 85 
Out of the depths of Ages as it were, 
In shells of various shapes and hues, appear 
Molluskan groups in regions far and near : 
Spreading through land and sea, and far from light 
To ocean beds, where reigns perpetual night. 90 
Winkles and welks and other snails allied, 
Of long descent, wide scenes have occupied. 
In estuary, and bay, along the coasts, 
And out to sea innumerous bivalved hosts 
Live as of old ; oyster and mussel groups, 9 r 
Arcs, scallops and the like as serried troops. 
210 
