. The history of mankind . vities of individual persons and individual days with a strong thread ofnecessary interdependence. And here, too, human foes, those communists ofnature who equalise all property, take good care that the steady prosperity ofagriculture shall not create too deep a gulf between it and nomadism. In the matter of food, natural races, even when they carry on agriculture,strive with avidity to get animal adjuncts. Contrary to our physiological notions,fat and blood are consumed in quantities even by purely tropical races, like thePolynesians ; and it is just in these things
. The history of mankind . vities of individual persons and individual days with a strong thread ofnecessary interdependence. And here, too, human foes, those communists ofnature who equalise all property, take good care that the steady prosperity ofagriculture shall not create too deep a gulf between it and nomadism. In the matter of food, natural races, even when they carry on agriculture,strive with avidity to get animal adjuncts. Contrary to our physiological notions,fat and blood are consumed in quantities even by purely tropical races, like thePolynesians ; and it is just in these things that gluttony is practised. Thenearest approach to vegetarianism is made by the rice-planting peoples of eastAsia and the banana-planting negroes of the forest, as formerly by the civilizedraces of America. The races of the far north eat, no doubt, more than we supposeof wild plants ; but they rely especially on the fat and flesh of nomad groups support themselves with superstitious exclusiveness on meat. Hoe or grubbing-axe of turtle-bone, from the MortlockIslands. (British Museum.) CLOTHING AND ORNAMENT 93 and milk. Roots are eagerly sought. Salt is liked in all parts of the earth, andthe fondness for meat and blood is based in some measure on the craving for rapid and thorough roasting the salts of the meat-juices are rendered morehighly serviceable. Every race in all parts of the earth has hit upon some meansof enjoying caffein compounds and alcohol. Tobacco is not the only narcoticherb that is smoked. The methods of chewing betel and coca are strikinglyalike. The many poisons has come to civilized races from barbarians. § io. CLOTHING AND ORNAMENT Complete nudity nowhere found as a regular custom—Caprice in the matter of clothing and non-clothing—Better clothing is no absolute indication of higher culture—Fashion—Clothing begins as ornament—Natural clothing materials—Climate has little influence on clothing—Example of th
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectethnology, bookyear18
