

the species! We are alone, abso- 

 lutely alone on this chance planet ; 

 and amid all the forms of life that 

 surround us, not one, excepting 

 the dog, has made an alliance 

 with us. A few creatures fear 

 us, most are unaware of us, and 

 not one loves us. In the world 

 of plants, we have dumb and 

 motionless slaves; but they serve 

 us in spite of themselves. They 

 simply endure our laws and our 

 yoke. They are impotent pris- 

 oners, victims incapable of escap- 

 ing, but silently rebellious ; and, 



