2 6 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- 

 expression; 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 



