The migration of the Jews under the leadership of Abraham and Lot, from the dry plains of Mesopotamia, bringing their flocks and herds, and appropriating to their own use the better watered lands of Palestine, represents another example of the vigor and determination as well as manly qualities of other sorts, developed by a race of herdsmen. The Bedouins of Arabia and the Taureg tribes of the Sahara are other examples of peoples of great physical perfection and high mental attainments, subsisting under the most adverse conditions of climate and aridity, by converting a scanty pasturage into human food and clothing through the agency of their sheep, goats, camels and cattle.

Semple (9) has written an excellent account of the characteristics of the peoples of plains, steppes and deserts, as compared with other geographic environments. We need not judge their qualities entirely by our own standards. They are conceded to possess courage and hardihood and keen powers of observation. Their standards of honesty and respect for property rights depend on whether their relations are with one of their own people or with a stranger or foreigner, but this trait is in great measure the result of their environment. David, the self-reliant and brave youth, the great captain, and the national hero in whom all the noblest elements of Hebrew genius were combined, was the product of a shepherd tribe.