WHAT EVOLUTION IS 107 



living thing ranged against its neigh- 

 bor. In fact when we seek a figura- 

 tive expression for peace and quiet, 

 we are very Hkely to turn to that very 

 nature which, according to these 

 phrases, should be in deadly turmoil. 

 Nevertheless, natural selection is 

 probably running at full speed in 

 every quiet countryside. Four seeds 

 from a given plant fall on a small 

 plot of ground. All germinate and 

 produce growing plants, one a little 

 in advance of the other three. The 

 early one shades the others, reaches 

 maturity first and sets its seeds. Au- 

 tumn comes and the other three have 

 not yet flowered and in consequence 

 they fail to produce fruit. Natural 

 selection has taken place. The early 

 plant leaves offspring for the next 

 year; the other three are unrepre- 

 sented. All may have lived what is 

 essentially the same length of time 



