The Rising Generation 25 



of animate nature we find a correspond- 

 ing increase in parental solicitude, many 

 of the higher vertebrates displaying a 

 care for their young that is only excelled 

 in civilised man. But amongst the more 

 primitive animals there is usually no 

 such forethought. The instinct to mate 

 and procreate the species is unaccom- 

 panied by any higher emotions, and the 

 young, whether in the form of eggs, 

 larvae or fully formed individuals, are 

 simply broadcast flung pell-mell into an 

 unfriendly world on the off-chance of 

 some or even only one of them surviving 

 the countless dangers, and completing 

 the life cycle. This is accomplished fre- 

 quently with a lavish prodigality. In 

 some instances the oyster, lobster, sal- 

 mon, etc. man has stepped in and 

 by collecting the ova and rearing it 

 artificially, or ensuring its deposit in 

 surroundings that ensure safety, has been 

 able to put some check on this reckless 



