A subject which seems to have been insufficiently studied by doctors and psychologists is the influence of geography and climate on the psychological and physical health of mankind. Them seems no doubt that the general character of the landscape, the relative length of day and night, and the climate must all play a big part in determining what kind of people we are. It is true that a few studies have been made. Where all the inhabitants of a particular area enjoy exceptionally good or bad health, scientists have identified contributory factors such as the presence or absence of substances like iodine, fluoride and calcium (氟化钙), or iron in the water supply, or perhaps types of land that provide breeding places for pests like mosquitoes or rats. Moreover, we can all generalize about types of people we have met. Those living in countries with long dark winters are apt to be leas talkative and less spirited than inhabitants of countries where the climate is more moderate. And where the olive and the orange grow, there the inhabitants are cheerful, talkative, and spontaneous. But these commonplace generalizations are inadequate: the influence of climate and geography should be studied in depth. Do all mountain dwellers live m a ripe old age Does the drinking of wine, rather than beer, result in a sunny and open temper Is the strength and height of one of the Kenyan tribes due to their habitual drinking of the blood of cows We are not yet sure of the answers to such questions, but let us hope that something of benefit to mankind may ually result from such studies. The author hopes that studies on the influence of geographical environment will enable us to______.