AND ITS INHABITANTS 193 



resources, but is far from being the sole factor. Even where 

 energy is considered, the effect of climate may readily be neu- 

 tralized by several other factors such as lack of resources or 

 lack of ability. The point to be emphasized is that climatic 

 energy is one of the great factors which must be reckoned with 

 in any attempt to understand the evolution of civilization. 

 Hitherto, its importance has not been realized. Therefore 

 today we must emphasize it until it takes its true place with 

 inherent mental capacity and material resources. It is not a 

 determiner of civilization, but a condition which prevents 

 civilization from advancing in some places and stimulates it to 

 the greatest activity in others. Without an understanding of 

 its part in human evolution we cannot rightly comprehend 

 our own present development in any of the great branches of 

 human progress. 



