An introduction to the study of social evolution; the prehistoric period . mbition. Thus we find that nopeople living in a very northern latitude have ever pos-sessed that steady and unflinching industry for which theinhabitants of temperate regions are remarkable. Thereason for this becomes clear when we remember that inthe more northern countries the severity of the weatherand, at some seasons, the deficiency of light render itimpossible for people to continue their usual out-of-dooremployments. ^® In cold climates the bodily warmthnecessary to sustain vital processes in a normal state ismai
An introduction to the study of social evolution; the prehistoric period . mbition. Thus we find that nopeople living in a very northern latitude have ever pos-sessed that steady and unflinching industry for which theinhabitants of temperate regions are remarkable. Thereason for this becomes clear when we remember that inthe more northern countries the severity of the weatherand, at some seasons, the deficiency of light render itimpossible for people to continue their usual out-of-dooremployments. ^® In cold climates the bodily warmthnecessary to sustain vital processes in a normal state ismaintained by the consumption of large quantities ofoily food, such as whale oil, and blubber. But thishighly carbonized food, although very essential, is quitescarce. It can be obtained only from the fat and oils ofpowerful and ferocious animals. This lack of sufficientfood affects the numbers of the people. Deficiency of 15 Ireland, A.—Tlie Far Eastern Tropics, pp. 2-4. i» Buckle, H. T.—History of Cimlis:ation in England, 1857-1861, ch. ii. 1 See figure 51. 18 INFLUENCES OF ENVIRONMENT 137 subsistence is reflected in the sparse population. In-deed, the fact of its scarcity has l)een resi)onsible forcertain characters in the culture of the Eskimo whichare revolting to us and seem quite inconceivable, largelybecause the mitigated rigors of our environment haveaccustomed us to milder usages. For example, while itis customary with us to respect and look after the agedmembers of our family, among the Eskimo it is requiredof children to kill their parents after they have becometoo old to help the family or serve the community. It isconsidered a breach of filial duty not to kill the agedparent. The custom is founded upon the ethical lawof the Eskimo and rests upon the whole mass of tradi-tional lore and custom.^^ When members of the com-munity cannot work and contribute to the food supplythey have to be made away with because there are youngmouths to feed and tliere is othe
Size: 1298px × 1926px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectsociolo, bookyear1913
