The Descent of Man

tants of the Valley of Nepal, which is extremely
hot in summer, and also the various hill-tribes
of India, suffer from dysentery and fever when
on the plains; and they die if they attempt to
pass the whole year there.
We thus see that many of the wilder races of
man are apt to suffer much in health when subjected
to changed conditions or habits of life,
and not exclusively from being transported to a
new climate. Mere alterations in habits, which
do not appear injurious in themselves, seem to
have this same effect; and in several cases the
children are particularly liable to suffer. It has
often been said, as Mr. Macnamara remarks,
that man can resist with impunity the greatest
diversities of climate and other changes; but
this is true only of the civilised races. Man in
his wild condition seems to be in this respect
almost as susceptible as his nearest allies, the
anthropoid apes, which have never yet survi-