KELATIONS OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS 5 



light. The Hfe processes of both plants and animals are essentially 

 the same, and the living matter in a tree is as much alive as is the 

 living matter in a fish, a dog, or a man. 



Plants and animals are living things, taking what they can from 

 their surroundings ; they enter into competition with one another, 

 and those which are best fitted for life outstrip the others. Each 

 kind of animal and plant tends to vary from its nearest relatives 

 in all details of structure. The strong may hand down to their 

 offspring characteristics which make them winners. Health and 

 strength of body and mind are factors which tell in winning. 



Man has made use of this message of nature, and has dei^eloped 

 improved breeds of horses, cattle, and other domestic animals. 

 Plant breeders, likewise, have selected plants or seeds that have 

 shown a tendency to improve, and thus have raised liardier and 

 more fruitful domesticated plants. Man's dominion over the liv- 

 ing things of the earth is tremendous. This is due to his under- 

 standing of the principles which underlie the science of biology. 



Photo from Neiv York State Conservation Commission 



How does the forest help the stream ? 



The Importance of Forests. — Still another reason why we should 

 study biolog;)^ is that we may work intelligently for the conserva- 

 tion of our natural resources, especially of our forests. The living 

 forest is valued for its beauty and its health-giving properties, 



