This function returns the specified number of elements of a list spread
    approximately evenly.

def select_spread(
    list_of_elements   = None,
    number_of_elements = None
    ):
    """
    This function returns the specified number of elements of a list spread
    approximately evenly.
    """
    if len(list_of_elements) <= number_of_elements:
        return list_of_elements
    if number_of_elements == 0:
        return []
    if number_of_elements == 1:
        return [list_of_elements[int(round((len(list_of_elements) - 1) / 2))]]
    return \
        [list_of_elements[int(round((len(list_of_elements) - 1) /\
        (2 * number_of_elements)))]] +\
        select_spread(list_of_elements[int(round((len(list_of_elements) - 1) /\
        (number_of_elements))):], number_of_elements - 1)