The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-01-16
that made very recently Of several
lakes without outlets in southern CALI

that made very recently OF several
lakes without outlets in southern CALI
! fornla. Their banks show the pc
| RODS when their waters have risen or
| sunk.
For a puzzle like the presence or
the Maya civilization in an Impossible
climate, and others like II, DIR. Hunt
ington falls back on the theory or
shifting climatic zones" which he has
elaborated in a book but does not make
clear here. lie intimates that there
are periodic changes of climate caused
by the deviation of the zone of cy-
clonic storms. which in turn depends
on the SUI spots. Some meteorolo-
gists connec periodic storms with the
occurrence Of sun spots in larger or
smaller quantities and have measured
short cycles in which spots and storms
recur with like frequency and vio-
lence. DR.. Huntington sees longer pc
RODS of recurrence which IL extended
might account for changes of climate
long enough to enable these out of
place civilizations to flourish. He finds
that these calculations ft in with
those built on the tree measurements
and others.
To the reader who has followed with
some difficulty the somewhat dispro-
po%rtionate arrangement Of DR.. Hunt
tington's testimony, and has abstained
from objections in order To find out
what the author means. the solcmnity
with which he regards his hypothesis
may be surprising. THE final decision
W scientists as to the truth or falsity
Of our conclusions will have n deep
bearing not only upon the interpreta-
ton of history but upon mans con-
scious plans for the future" Man
can apparently live I'm any region
where he a obtain food. but his
physical and mental energy and his
moral character reach their highest
development only In a few strictly
limited areas. The location Of those
areas appears to have varied greatly
In the past: 1t may vary greatly in the
future" The prospect seems depress-
ing to DIR. Huntington, but he bids us
not to despair, for 1t is possible to fight
against climate; he suggests that we
should not heat our homes so much in
winter. for n thing; another is that
factories should run faster or slower
"a y stNt w Wv ~ WI ~
moving large bodies of the population
about "1n winter most of Russia's
peasants have little to do. and their
enforced idleness is harmful. They
might go TO Mesopotamia, where most
Of the farm work is done between Oc-
tober and May" THE part OF the pop
u,ation hat moved would be stimu-
lated not only by the change of eli
mate. but by contact with other races
and new methods" And there are
other pleasant suggestions for whole
sale migrations In order TO overcome
climate.
The final conclusion attained by DR..
he II right mar il more closely de-
pendent upon nature than he has re-
allied" We are slowly realizing that
character in the broad sense of all
that pertains to industry. honesty.
purity. intelligence and strength Of
will is closely dependent upon the ON
dition OF the body. Neither Fan he
at its best while it, companion il
dragged down. The climate Of many
countries seems to he one of the great
reasons why idleness. dishonesty. i'm
morality. stupidity and weakness Of
will prevail. II We can eli
mate the whole world will become
stronger and nobler." An inspiring
sentiment which the reader will ap-
plaud even II he does not understand
what 1t means.