THE ISSUES OF LIFE 303 



is the struggle for existence. But there are many different 

 ways of answering back; there are many different cards 

 that the organism can play. One creature uses its weapons 

 with increased skill, another finds discretion the better part 

 of valour; both are reacting in the struggle for existence. 

 One creature intensifies its competitive efforts, another seeks 

 to ensure the safety and success of its offspring; both are 

 reacting in the struggle for existence. In the egg-capsules 

 of the whelk some of the larvae devour the rest — a grim 

 cannibalism in the cradle — this is the one extreme, of which 

 there are few illustrations. As nestling birds are only in 

 process of becoming warm-blooded, it is of great importance 

 in many cases that they should be surrounded by non-con- 

 ducting materials. When we see an individual bird taking 

 particular care to add feather to feather till there are over 

 two thousand, we know that it is unmistakably strengthen- 

 ing its own and its family's foothold in the struggle for 

 existence, but its reaction to environing difficulties does not 

 hurt any other bird. This is at the opposite pole, and 

 similar illustrations abound. 



The race is not always to the swift nor the battle to the 

 strong. The concept of struggle includes self-assertive com- 

 petition, but it also includes a gentle endeavour after well- 

 being. One creature asserts itself by sharpening its claws 

 and whetting its teeth, another finds a place where it is 

 invisible. One intensifies competition with its kin around 

 the platter of subsistence — though this is much less frequent 

 than is supposed; another expresses itself in more elaborate 

 parental care. Nor can we forget that evasive change of 

 liabit and habitat known as parasitism — the door to which 

 is always open. The organism has many a thrust and parry, 

 — all of which are logically included in the conception of 



