Co7iformity to Environment 



higher stage of civilization was to be attained. 

 Wallace has well said that nomads become agri- 

 culturalists only when and as they are starved 

 into tilling the soil. What arguments or elo- 

 quence will you use with the nomad to persuade 

 him to make this change in life? He knows 

 by long experience the pleasures of ease and 

 freedom, he has seen the long hours of hard 

 labor of the husbandman. The advantages and 

 pleasures of a higher civilization appeal but 

 feebly to him, he has never felt or experienced 

 them. He feels no higher needs. His present 

 situation is good enough. 



The problem seems to have been solved in a 

 very simple manner. Our ancestors migrated 

 from the open steppe into forest-clad Europe. 

 Pasturage became very scarce. Open land was 

 limited. They must cultivate it or starve. 

 Many starved. Some learned to till the soil. 

 The spur of necessity is the best teacher. 



This compulsory process is wasteful and ex- 

 pensive. It requires a very large body of un- 

 progressive police to occupy and guard every 

 side path, and thus compel a " remnant " to fol- 

 low the right one. But in the case of man it is 

 usually impracticable. For, when compelled to 



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