THE STRUGGLE FOR SUPREMACY. 1 85 



being the keenest between closely allied, or members of the 

 same species, as they are dependent upon the same 

 conditions for the means of subsistence. 



In many cases the difficulties of early life are 

 met, as stated above, by the production of offspring 

 in enormous quantities, with a better chance of som.e 

 of them finding a suitable position in which to live 

 than if only a small number were produced, although the 

 vast majority cannot possibly arrive at maturity. In 

 others a comparatively small number only are brought into 

 existence, but where this is the case the young have 

 generally advanced further in their development towards 

 maturity, or are furnished with a generous supply of food, 

 or are stronger, or otherwise better fitted for the battle of 

 life ; and, in the case of animals, receive protection through 

 the guarding care and instruction of their parents until 

 they are themselves fitted for an independent existence. 

 But in any case the struggle must take place, the battle 

 for life has to be fought ; for whatever the number may be 

 of those which enter into the competition comparatively 

 few only survive it. 



Generally speaking, no two animals or plants are 

 absolutely alike. Variations are the rule in both the 

 animal and vegetable kingdoms, and differences of a 

 greater or lesser degree are found in every species, and 

 even in the offspring of the same parents. 



The causes of variation are not always quite clear. 

 The fact of the parents being dissimilar will induce varia- 

 tions in their young, some inheriting features or peculiarities 

 of either or of both in modified degrees, varying in intensity 

 and in form. Ancestral characters, dormant in either 

 parent, may appear and produce marked differences in 

 the progeny. Through numerous causes new and peculiar 

 variations may and do arise. "We seem "says Mr. Francis 



