THE FOREST. 35 



that the sloth, and certain species of ants and cater- 

 pillars, almost strip them of their leaves, but not 

 a single animal appears to gnaw at their bark. 

 Even the young seedlings are free from outside 

 enemies, and have every possible opportunity of 

 gaining a position if their elders give them a 

 chance. The fight is therefore one between tree 

 and tree ; not even species, but individuals. Like 

 a battle of the Middle Ages, the fight is made up of 

 single combats, where each forest giant is a centre 

 with enemies in every direction. And, not only is it 

 a battle, but a fight for life which has to be con- 

 tinued day after day and year after year without 

 cessation. There never was, nor ever can be, a truce. 

 The armour cannot be put off, but must be con- 

 tinually worn and always kept in order. Now and 

 again one of the combatants is killed, and then 

 ensues a struggle for his position. There is room 

 for one, and a hundred little soldiers have to fight 

 until the fortunate victor gains the place, and can 

 take its part in the greater struggle. 



" Practice makes perfect." An old soldier ne- 

 cessarily becomes proficient in warfare, and under 

 the system in vogue during the Middle Ages 

 the result generally depended on individual 

 prowess. Such is the case now in the Guiana 

 forest. Every tree has chosen its weapons of 



