^2^ GFCOCRArjn'. 



answer is, " How do certain given climaiic conditions affect the 

 life of man?" Of all the external modifying forces which in- 

 fluence mankind, there is little doubt but that climate is. in the 

 main, responsible for the different stages of his physical, mental, 

 and moral development. The almost innumerable gradations 

 from stunted I^igmy to stalwart Dane, from loin-cloths to furs, 

 from bread-fruit to blubber, from palm-hut to igloo, from lethargy 

 to energy, and from infanticide to high morality, are in no small 

 degree determined, directly or indirectly, by atmospheric con- 

 ditions. Climate controls the vegetable and animal products 

 which form the basis of man's food, and change of latitude or 

 elevation necessitates a variation of diet. The luscious fruits 

 of the tropics would make an ill substitute for the wholly animal 

 fare of the Arctic regions. Perhaps the most obvious examples 

 of adaptation to climatic environment are found in a survey of 

 the world's modes of dress. Tlie flimsv tropical cotton makes 

 as striking a contrast to the thick ])olar furs as do the dull 

 clothes of the grey North to the gay garl) of the sunny South. 

 Architecture also reflects climate, for dwellings are to a great 

 extent built at the dictates of tem]:)erature and rainfall. Flat 

 roofs are an indication of rapid evaporaticm of rainfall, tlie steep 

 roofs of snowy countries are self exp'lanatorw while pile or tree 

 dwellings are characteristic of lands subject to floods. Nomadic 

 l)eoples in search of pasture or water inhal)it temporary, movable 

 structures, but in settled agricultural or industrial regions are 

 found large, sul)stantial edilices. The ornamentation of the 

 latter, also, is regulated by the weathering agents. Climate in- 

 fluences even religious beliefs, for tlie hell of the b^kimos is a 

 region of darkness and intense cold, while that of the Jew is a 

 place of eternal Arc. We have quoted only a few instances, 

 but the studv of the influence of climate on sports, customs, social 

 conditions, literature, place-names, intellectual pursuits, and 

 temperament is one of the most fascinating I)ranches of geo- 

 graphy. Investigation ])roves that there is scarcely any phase of 

 human activity l)Ut bears the stani]) of climatic environment. 



The distribution of plants and animals are of interest to the 

 geographer onlv to the extent that thev have a Ijearing on tlie 

 hfe of man. 



A knowledge of geography is of much greater value to the 

 historian than a historical training is to the geographer, for geo- 

 graphy is the stage on Avbich the tragedies and comedies of 

 history are enacted. 



Similarly, economics enters into the arena of tlie geograi^her 

 only in so far as industries, power, labour su]:)plv, markets, etc., 

 are determined by the geographical iiilUcit. 



The foregoincr sketch will help to show that, although there 

 may easily exist many differences of opinion regarding^ ]:)oints 

 of minor importance, the province of the geographer is fairly 

 clearlv deflned, n;niiely, the study of man's "passive" and 



