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where the changes of the seasons exhibit sharp
contrasts, are likely to be of big physique, with a
nature well adapted for endurance and courage, and
such possess not a little wildness and ferocity. The
inhabitants of hollow regions, that are meadowy,
stifling, with more hot than cool winds, and where
the water used is hot, will be neither tall nor well-made,
but inclined to be broad, fleshy, and dark-haired ;
they themselves are dark rather than fair, less
subject to phlegm than to bile. Similar bravery and
endurance are not by nature part of their character,
but the imposition of law can produce them artificially.
Should there be rivers in the land, which drain off
from the ground the stagnant water and the rain
water, these | The people or the rivers ? Probably the former, in which
case "bright" will mean "of bright (clear) complexion." |
will be healthy and bright. But if there
be no rivers, and the water that the people drink be
marshy, stagnant, and fenny, the physique of the
people must show protruding bellies and enlarged
spleens. Such as dwell in a high land that is level,
windy, and watered, will be tall in physique and
similar to one another, but rather unmanly and
tame in character. As to those that dwell on thin,
dry, and bare soil, and where the changes of the
seasons exhibit sharp contrasts, it is likely that in
such country the people will be hard in physique
and well-braced, fair rather than dark, stubborn and
independent in character and in temper. For where
the changes of the seasons are most frequent and most
sharply contrasted, there you will find the greatest
diversity in physique, in character, and in constitution.
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