220 ENVIRONMENT 



and, where exceptions occur, there are circum- 

 stances which entitle us reasonably to ascribe 

 them to the effects of immigration from the north. 

 The new-comers retain for many generations traces 

 of their original light complexion, and diffuse 

 them by intermarriage with the natives of the 

 soil. In India complexion darkens very notice- 

 ably from north to south : the southerners live 

 under a stronger sun : but it is also to be observed 

 that they have lain remote from the torrents of 

 invaders which, pouring across the passes of the 

 Himalayas, have infused a light complexion into 

 Northern India. The lowest castes of Northern 

 India may be presumed to consist of families 

 with which the immigrants did not intermarry. 

 They are almost as dark complexioned as the 

 people of the south. Africa has been protected 

 from invasion by the deserts which shut it off 

 from the Mediterranean, and it is in Africa that 

 we find colour in its darkest shades. It can, then, 

 hardly be disputed that complexion is a trait 

 which has been derived from environal influences, 

 and has become innate in the breed. 



The early arrival of puberty is another physical 

 characteristic which is associated with a hot 

 climate, and has become hereditary. This is a 

 functional peculiarity which must have far- 

 reaching effects upon character. It lessens the 

 period during which the young can acquire useful 

 habits before their minds are preoccupied with 

 sexual feelings ; and it may not improbably be 

 connected with the relations between man and 

 woman which are to be observed throughout the 

 warmer countries of the world. Romantic love 

 is burnt up in lust ; women are regarded as the 

 slaves of men's appetites ; and polygamy is 

 generally practised. We have already considered 

 the influence which the predominance of sexual 



