26 THE HAUNTS OF LIFE 



to the difficulties that beset them and the 

 limitations that hem them in. 



The struggle on the shore is partly for food 

 some of which is always being carried out 

 to sea ; partly for foothold for a good niche 

 is a treasure ; partly for the oxygen mixed 

 with the water the oxygen which is always 

 necessary to keep life going ; partly against 

 risks of dislodgment, smothering, and drought ; 

 partly to get elbow-room in self-expres- 

 sion ; and partly to secure the safety and 

 welfare of the young ones. The " struggle" 

 is sometimes an endeavour after well-being. 

 It may be with fellows of the same kind one 

 hermit-crab against another ; it may be with 

 foes of quite different race mussel against 

 star-fish, limpet against oyster-catcher ; it may 

 be between animals and Fate the physical 

 forces of wind and wave, of sand and sun. 

 The struggle is manifold. 



In our study of the Wonder of Life (1914) 

 we have referred to the struggle for foothold 

 on the shore. " It is important, for instance, 

 that the limpet, which makes little journeys in 

 search of seaweed to nibble, should not go too 

 far, else it will not find its way back, and will 

 have lost the spot which its shell has grown 



