VIII. 



THE STRUGGLE FOR LIFE. 



IN the forest we are among a great crowd, com- 

 pared with which the largest assemblages of people 

 are infinitely little. There is absolutely no room 

 for a single addition until one of the number suc- 

 cumbs to the continual strain, or is conquered in 

 the fight. Standing room is all they require, but 

 few succeed in obtaining enough space to stretch 

 their arms. Above our heads is a verdant roof 

 which shuts out every ray of sunlight from beneath, 

 and we wander among the columns of this great 

 structure as if it were the mazes of some intermin- 

 able cave. The columns are enormous brown 

 pillars or stalactites, stretching from floor to roof, 

 their resemblance to the work of an architect 

 being increased by the almost universal provision 

 of buttresses. 



All are on the same level. No individual can 



afford to let another get above him. Every one is 



152 



