THE TRIUMPH OF LIFE 



sees for the jellj-fish and steers it by means of its 

 intelligence. Neither harms the other: the jelly- 

 fish does not turn its stinging organs against 

 the fish, and the fish does not turn its teeth 

 against the soft gelatinous body. 



But individuals of the same kind form won- 

 derful protective associations in this under world 

 without growing together. The strange snake- 

 like fish whose long eel-like body is pushed along 

 by means of fine wheel-like paddles, like screws, 

 of the species, sea-needle or pipe fish, carries on 

 its stomach a bag made of wrinkles. This con- 

 ceals foreign life and yet it is not an appendage 

 of the stomach and this life is not destined to 

 be digested. This life is eggs witli maturing 

 young fish of the same species. They mature 

 in tlie protection of the parent fish in the kan- 

 garoo like sack. Strange, yet among fish and 

 amphibians not uncommon, it is the father who 

 in this case carries the bag and protects the 

 young ones. The mother has laid the eggs with 

 him as in a true nest, which he now carefully 

 bears around with him. There appears here, in 

 a simple form, an association for protection be- 

 tween parents and off -spring. The off-spring 

 Is not eaten but is cared for and guarded. This 

 social form begins with the sea-urchin and the 

 star-fish, yes, even with the sea-anemone. Stead- 

 ily it develops. The monster that sinks down 

 by the coral bank like a rough giant tree trunk 

 82 



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