THE DESCENT OF MAN.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 470, 13 July 1871, Page 3

THE DESCENT OF MAN.

(DAEWIN IiOQITITITB.) "Man comes from a Mammal that ''ved Tip a tree, Anil a great coat of hair on his outside had he, Very much like the Dreadnoughts we frequently see - Which nobody can deny. " lie had points to Ilia ears, and a tail to his rump, To assist Mm with ease through the branches to jump — In some cases quite long, and in some a mere stump — Which nobody can deny. ■■ " This mammal, abstaining from mischievous pranks, W.is thought-worthy in time to be raised from the ranks, And with some'small ado came to stand on two shanks— Which nobody can deny. " Tim? planted, his course he so prudently steered, That his hand aoon improved, and his intellect cleared; Then1 forehead enlarged, and his tail disappeared. Which nobody can deny. "'Tisn' easy to settle when Man became Man, When the Monkey type stooped and the human began ; But some very, queer things were involved in the plan— Which nobody can deny. "Women plainly had beards and big whiskers f-st ; While the men supplied ir'.lk when the baby was nursed ; And somo other strong facts I could tell—if I durst— Which nobody can deny. "Our arboreal sire had a pedigree too ; The Marsupial system comes here into view ; So"we'll trace him, 1 think, to a Great Kangaror - Which nobody can deny. "This Kangaroo's parent perhaps v/as a bird; But an Ornithorhynohus would not be absurd ; Then to frogs and strange fishes we back are referred--Which nobody can deny." Thus far Darwin has said: But the root of the TreeIts nature, its name, and what caused it to bo, Seems a secret to him, just as much as to me — Which nobody can deny. Did it always exist as a great institution ? And what made it start on its first evolution ? And to this our good friend offers no contribution— AVhich nobody can deny. Yet I think that if Darv. In would make a clean breast Some botanical views would be frankly confessed, And that all Flesh is Grass would stand boldly expressed— Which nobody can deny, The Loves of the Plants so deliciously sung, Must have softened his heart when his bosom was young, And the Temple of Nature has prompted his tongue— Which nobody can deny. But now if in future good breeding we priie, To be cherubs and angels we some day may rise ; And, indeed, some sweet angels are now in my eyes— Which nobody can deny. If this is our wish, we must act with due caro ; And in choosing our spouse no pains we should spare, But 3elect only those that are wise, good, and fair— Which nobody can deny. Yet however he came by it, man has a soul, That will not so submit to despotic control, As to make monks and nuns of three-fourths of the whole— Which nobody can deny. The bad may be pretty, the good may bs plain ; And sad matches are made from the lucre of gain ; So perhaps as we are we shall likely remain - WHch nobody can deny. After all, then, I ask, what's the object in view And what practical good for his creed can ensue ? I can't find in it much that's both useful and new — AVhich nobody can deny. Our old friend Lucretius explained long ago How the fittest survive ami the weak are laid low, And ov" friends of the Farm must a thing or two know — A\ iiich nobody can deny. I would ne'er take offence at what's honestly meant, Or that truth should be told of our lowly descent To be sprung from that dust I am humbly content — • A\ .lich nobody can deny. But this groping and guessing may all bo mistaken, And in sensitive minds may much trouble awaken. So I'll shut up my book, and go back to my Bacon — Which nobody can deny. — Ble?kv:ood's Magazine.