APPLETONS' 



POPULAR SCIENCE 



MONTHLY. 



DECEMBER, 1897. 



THE KACIAL GEOGKAPHY OF EUKOPE. 

 A SOCIOLOGICAL STUDY. 



{Lowell Institute Lectures, 1896.) 

 By WILLIAM Z. RIPLEY, Ph. D., 



ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF SOCIOLOGY, MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY ; LECTURER IN 

 ANTHROPO-GEOGRAPHY AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY. 



XL THE BRITISH ISLES. 



THE ethnic history of the British Isles turns upon two significant 

 geographical facts, which have rendered their populations de- 

 cidedly unique among the other states of western Europe.* The 

 first of these is their insular position, midway off the coast between 

 the north and south of the continent. That narrow silver streak 

 between Calais and Dover which has insured the political security 

 and material prosperity of England in later times, has always pro- 

 foundly affected her racial history. A partial bar against invasion 

 by land, the fatal step once taken, it has immediately become an 

 obstacle in the way of retreat. Invasion thus led inevitably to as- 

 similation. Protected sufficiently against disturbance to assure that 

 homogeneity of type which is attendant upon close contact, the 

 islands at the same time could never suffer from the stagnation which 

 utter isolation implies. 



* For invaluable assistance I am deeply indebted to Dr. John Beddoe, F. R. S., late 

 President of the Anthropological Institute of Great Britain, of Bradford-on-Avon, Wilts, 

 not only for the loan of rare material for the illustration of this particular paper, but 

 for kindly criticism and interest throughout our whole series. To President E. W. Bra- 

 brook, C. B., of the Anthropological Institute, London, also, I would acknowledge most 

 gratefully my obligation. Recognition should be made of the courtesy of Mr. J. A. Web- 

 ster, secretary, as well. The complete collection of photographs of the Institute has not 

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