nature appears to have distributed life spans , whether long or short , entirely upon the possession or non-possession of a few physiologically superficial characteristics , namely , immunity of mature , full-sized specimens from the effects of : ( 1 ) predation , ( 2 ) competition , ( 3 ) fire , ( 4 ) disease , and ( 5 ) the existence of a definite usefulness for long life spans in bridging lengthy periods unfavorable to the reproduction and/or maturation of offspring .
C0035150
reproduction
C0678723
maturation