INTRODUCTION 



17 



and a sane poise of mind, to study next the earth 

 rather than by the construction of poetical scintilla- 

 tions about commonplace, everyday vulgarities. 



Not long ago a frog hunt was undertaken. By 

 the flaring torch light a few fish were caught, moc- 

 casins killed and great bullfrogs speared. In the 

 bellies of each there were lesser and weaker animals 

 which had lived at the same creek. The fish had 

 caught little snakes, the snakes eaten frogs, the 

 frogs devoured crawfish, and they had swallowed 

 insects. Beautiful evolution ! but so severe upon the 

 weaker animals! 



So with plant life. Each one thrives by killing, 

 and then absorbing those around it. The weak are 

 suffocated and soon enrich the soil that the strong 

 may grow. Then the strong succumb to conditions 

 that are inevitable, and make food for the next gen- 

 eration. Thus the depth of soil is increased and 

 subsequent vegetation grows larger. It is progress, 

 development, evolution; but those who keep an ear 

 close to the ground can almost hear its plants ever 

 in common, vulgar strife, essentially like the rep- 

 tiles of the swamp and beasts of the jungle, the weak 

 creatures of each generation being ruthlessly de- 

 voured and contributing by their death to the 

 growth and power of heartier neighbors. 



