304 THE ASCENT OF MAN 



single-handed, as is a higher plant, with regard to 

 the efficient fertilizing of its flowers, an almost 

 more difficult problem awaits it when it comes 

 to the dispersal of its seeds. If each seed fell 

 where it grew, the spread of the species would 

 shortly be at an end. But Nature, working on 

 the principle of Co-operation, is once more redun- 

 dant in its provisions. By a series of new alli- 

 ances the offspring are given a start on distant 

 and unoccupied ground ; and so perfect are the 

 arrangements in this department of the Struggle 

 for the Life of Others that single plants, immov- 

 ably rooted in the soil, are yet able to distribute 

 their children over the world. By a hundred 

 devices the fruits and seeds when ripe are en- 

 trusted to outside hands — provided with wing or 

 parachute and launched upon the wind, attached 

 by cunning contrivances to bird and beast, or 

 dropped into stream and wave and ocean-current, 

 and so transported over the earth. 



If we turn to the Animal Kingdom, the Principle 

 of Co-operation everywhere once more confronts us. 

 It is singular that, with few exceptions, science 

 should still know so little of the daily life of even 

 the common animals. A few favourite mammals, 

 some birds, three or four of the more picturesque 

 and clever of the insects — these almost exhaust 



