DEVONIC FISHES OF THE NEW YORK FORMATIONS I 75 



A large and very important literature exists on the subject of faunal 

 migrations in general, and geographical distribution, which will be referred 

 to later. The question of adaptation to environment has been less fully 

 treated than others in the above category, since, from the nature of the 

 case, our information is more deficient in this respect. The viewpoint, 

 however, is exceedingly instructive, and such light as is obtainable from it 

 is most welcome. That we have not overstated the truth must be clear to 

 all who have gained a right understanding of the working of this principle 

 in analogous cases. As convenient an illustration as any is furnished by 

 human history. One of the notable phenomena in the annals of mankind, 

 and one of the most beneficent in its subtle and far-reaching consequences, 

 is the marvelous civilization attained by the ancient Hellenes. Yet the 

 unfolding and superb blossoming of the flower of Greek genius, together 

 with its rare beauty while it lasted — this surprising spectacle utterly fails 

 of comprehension except as we take account of influences of heredity and 

 environment. To understand Athenian character and habits, or to attempt 

 to account for that civilization which flourished, as Milton says 



Where on the Aegean shore a city stands 

 Built nobly, pure the air, and light the soil, 



it is above all things imperative to understand the conditions of Attic soil 

 and climate. For as soon as one inquires critically into the physical sur- 

 roundings of the classical Athenian, one discovers that his culture is not 

 primarily dependent upon his peculiar character, but is very largely the 

 resultant of his outward circumstances, and influenced to a marked degree 

 by his climate. One perceives, therefore, that ample justification exists for 

 the following statement, taken from a very readable work on classical 

 antiquity (Tucker's Life in Ancient Athens), with which we will conclude 

 our remarks on this head : 



From the bare facts that the Athenian lived in a land which supplied 

 a frugal and simple, but sufficient and wholesome diet, in a climate which 

 makes for sociable outdoor life without producing languor, in an atmos- 

 phere which sets off whatsoever things are shapely and beautiful, on a soil 

 furnished with a plentiful supply of excellent material for plastic art — from 



