48 IN THE ACADIAN LAND. 



thing, and never looked into it further, it would 

 be a very stupid, discourteous treatment of the 

 inventor. We often treat the Maker of all 

 things no better. When the Creator produces, 

 as he always does, vast numbers more than can 

 live, then we may well inquire by what means 

 some survive, and through what causes others 

 die before reaching adult life. We shall find 

 that the fittest survive, those that have some 

 advantage of teeth, or strength, or swiftness, or 

 weapons, or ability to get food, or keep out of 

 sight, etc. The smallest advantage will be 

 of great service, and may win the race of life, 

 when competition is so close. When one thou- 

 sand men start together for a foot-race, it will 

 be decided by perhaps less than a quarter of an 

 inch ; had there been but ten, the victor would 

 probably have gained by many feet. 



