CHAPTER II 
THE STRUGGLE FOR EXISTENCE 
Its importance— The struggle among plants—Among animals—Illustrative 
cases — Succession of trees in forests of Denmark — The struggle for 
existence on the Pampas — Increase of organisms in a geometrical 
ratio— Examples of great powers of increase of animals — Rapid 
increase and wide spread of plants — Great fertility not essential to 
rapid increase— Struggle between closely allied species most severe— 
The ethical aspect of the struggle for existence. 
There is perhaps no phenomenon of nature that is at once 
so important, so universal, and so little understood, as the 
struggle for existence continually going on among all organ¬ 
ised beings. To most persons nature appears calm, orderly, 
and peaceful. They see the birds singing in the trees, the 
insects hovering over the flowers, the squirrel climbing among 
the tree-tops, and all living things in the possession of health 
and vigour, and in the enjoyment of a sunny existence. But 
they do not see, and hardly ever think of, the means by which 
this beauty and harmony and enjoyment is brought about. 
They do not see the constant and daily search after food, the 
failure to obtain which means weakness or death; the con¬ 
stant effort to escape enemies ; the ever -recurring struggle 
against the forces of nature. This daily and hourly struggle, 
this incessant warfare, is nevertheless the very means by which 
much of the beauty and harmony and enjoyment in nature is 
produced, and also affords one of the most important elements 
in bringing about the origin of species. We must, therefore, 
devote some time to the consideration of its various aspects 
and of the many curious phenomena to which it gives rise. 
It is a matter of common observation that if weeds are 
allowed to grow unchecked in a garden they will soon destroy 
