T \GEDY IN NATURE 155 



one day the air is filled with winged aphides, another and 

 different generation has appeared, and we know that the 

 end approaches. A frost, a heavy shower or two, and 

 all our plants are clean; gone is the blight, gone the lady- 

 bird, syrphid, and lace- wing larvae, which fought so bravely 

 for us during the period of abundance. The race is wiped 

 out, suddenly and effectually, but hidden from our eyes 

 is that spark of life in a few dormant individuals which 

 will in spring kindle the prolific flame once more; we have 

 not done with aphides because none is visible. 



Faced by such dread facts, by an order that is not only 

 " careless of the single life," but apparently careless 

 of life altogether, Siddartha might well be saddened when 

 he marked 



" How lizard fed on ant, and snake on him, 

 And kite on both ; and how the fish-hawk robbed 

 The fish-tiger of that which it had seized ; 

 The shrike chasing the bulbul, which did hunt 

 The jewelled butterflies; till everywhere 

 Each slew a slayer and in turn was slain, 

 Life living upon death. So the fair show 

 Veiled one vast, savage, grim conspiracy 

 Of mutual murder, from the worm to man, 

 Who himself kills his fellow." 



But is this the whole truth ? Is life one great tragedy 

 in " a world of plunder and prey "? Had not Buddha, 

 but a moment before, rejoiced that 



" All the jungle laughed with nesting-songs, 

 And all the thickets rustled with small life 

 Of lizard, bee, beetle, and creeping things 

 Pleased at the spring-time." 



This first contemplation, when " all things spoke peace 

 and plenty," was as true a picture as the second. Few 

 wild creatures perish in decline, die of old age; sudden, 

 often violent death terminates their short lives; ordinary 



