96 STRUGGLE FOE EXISTE^CE. [Chap. III. 



give it some advantage over a different set of competi- 

 tors or enemies. 



It is good thus to try in imagination to give to any 

 one species an advantage over another. Probably in 

 no single instance should we know what to do. This 

 ought to convince us of our ignorance on the mutual 

 relations of all organic beings; a conviction as necessary, 

 as it is difficult to acquire. All that we can do, is to 

 keep steadily in mind that each organic being is striv- 

 ing to increase in a geometrical ratio; that each at some 

 period of its life, during some season of the year, during 

 each generation or at intervals, has to struggle for life 

 and to suffer great destruction. ' When we reflect on 

 this struggle, we may console ourselves with the full 

 belief, that the war of nature is not incessant, that no 

 fear is felt, that death is generally prompt, and that the 

 vigorous, the healthy, and the happy survive and 

 multiply. 



