248 THE FITNESS OF THE ENVIRONMENT 



flood of energy into the stream of life; and 

 these are the reactions automatically provided 

 for by the cosmic process. 



From the materialistic and the energetic 

 standpoint alike, carbon, hydrogen, and oxy- 

 gen, each by itself, and all taken together, 

 possess unique and preeminent chemical fit- 

 ness for the organic mechanism. They alone 

 are best fitted to form it and to set it in motion ; 

 and their stable compounds, water and car- 

 bonic acid, which make up the changeless 

 environment, protect and renew it, forever 

 drawing fresh energy from the sunshine. 



