PRESENT ASPECTS OF EVOLUTION 277 



something to be idly enjoyed, but a prize to be won ; 

 the world is not a play-gi-ound, but an arena. And 

 the severity of the struggle can scarcely be overrated. 

 Only one or two of a host of runners reach the goal, 

 the others die along the course. Concerning this there 

 can be no doubt, and there is little room for difference 

 of interpretation. 



The struggle may take the form of a literal battle 

 between two individuals, or of the individual with 

 inclemency of climate or other destructive agents. 

 More usually it is a competition, no more noticeable 

 and no less real than that between merchants or manu- 

 facturers in the same line of trade. 



The weeds in our gardens compete with the flowers 

 for food, light, and place, and crowd them out unless 

 prevented by man. And when the weeds alone re- 

 main, they crowd on each other until only a few of the 

 hardiest and most vigorous survive. And flowers, by 

 their nectar, color, and odor, compete for the visits of 

 insects, which insure cross-fertihzation. And fruits 

 are frequently or usually the inducements by which 

 plants compete for the aid of animals in the dissemi- 

 nation of their seeds. So there is everywhere compe- 

 tition and struggle ; many fail and perish, few succeed 

 and survive. 



In a foot-race it is often very difficult to name the 

 winner. Muscle alone does not win, not even good 

 heart and lungs. Good judgment, patience, coolness, 

 courage, many mental and moral qualities, are essen- 

 tial to the successful athlete. So in the struggle for 

 life. The race is not always to the swift, nor the bat- 

 tle to the strong. 



The total of " points " which wins this " grand 



