LIFE AND HER CHILDREN. 5 
but since there is not room for them, all but a very 
few must die. 
What can be the use of this terrible overcrowding 
in our little world ? Why docs this irresistible living 
breath go on so madly, urging one little being after 
another into existence ? Would it not be better if 
only enough were born to have plenty of room and 
to live comfortably? 
Wait a while before you decide, and think what 
every creature needs to keep it alive. Plants, it is 
true, can live on water and air, but animals cannot ; 
and if there were not myriads of plants to spare in 
the world, there would not be enough for food. 
Then consider again how many animals live upon 
each other ; if worms, snails, and insects, were not 
over-abundant, how would the birds live ? upon what 
would lions, and tigers, and wolves feed if other 
animals were not plentiful ; while, on the other hand, 
if a great number of larger animals did not die and 
decay, what would the flesh -feeding snails, and 
maggots, and other insects find to eat ? And so we 
see that for this reason alone there is sonic excuse 
for the over-abundance of creatures which life th: I 
into the world. 
But there is something deeper than this to 
sider. If in a large school every boy had a | 
at the end of the half-year, whether he had 
or not, do you think all the boys would w 
hard as they do or learn as well ? If i 
had all he required, and could live comf 
bring up his children to enjoy lite wit:: 
for it, do you think people would take ' ' ublc 
to learn trades and professions, and to In 
