oxygen atom on the same line, and one with the single oxygen atom in termediate; in ethylic ether, CMeH2 CMeH2 the oxygen atom, while the other three bonds of each are united respectively with one atom of Me and two of H. To farther elucidate this important fact of combination, Dr. F. makes use of the graphic notation of Crum Brown (using in lectures the glyptic formula of Hofmann).* Aluminic oxyd is O=Al-Al=0; and ethylic ether is in which the mode of union of the atoms is the same as that above given. These graphic methods, used more or less by Kekulé, Wurtz, Roscoe, Foster, etc., are most happy in the clearness with which they express the manner in which the bonds of an atom are saturated. Thus Dr. F. represents a molecule of oxygen as 0=0, and one of ozone as O-0. The formula of complex minerals given opposite pages 103 and 177, cannot fail to be of the highest value in mineralogy, if only we know enough of their constitution to say that these are their true rational formulæ. Dr. Frankland has been remarkably successful in developing these views, and in applying them alike to mineral and organic chemistry. We notice, however, the objectionable term "anhydride" retained; while to our view the term "carbonic dioxide" of Foster (or "carbonylic oxide" COO) is far preferable. Again, we think his reason for excluding carbonic acid from the organic acids hardly sufficient. The volume deserves careful study. The novelty of many of its views, coming from so distinguished a chemist, are most suggestive, and cannot fail to exert an important influence upon theoretical chemistry. All the more important elements and compounds, with their modes of preparation, the reaction in each case, their physical and chemical properties, and their modes of decomposition, are most clearly described. And thus the object of the work, to furnish names, formulæ and reactions, and so to save to the student the time spent in copying these in the lecture room is most successfully accomplished.t G. F. B. 7. Chemical Tables; by STEPHEN P. SHARPLES, S.B. Cambridge, Sever & Francis, 1866. pp. 192.-We cannot give a better idea of the value of this book than by stating the heads under which the tables are arranged. Tables for the calculation of analyses; relating to specific gravity; relating to heat; for gas analysis; relating to light; miscellaneous tables. A table of logarithms closes the volume. A collection of physico-chemical constants like this cannot fail to be of great use both to the physicist and chemist. We need no higher endorsement of the work than that of Dr. Wolcott Gibbs, under whose supervision it was prepared. *Not. Roy. Inst. of Great Britain, April 7, 1865. 8. A new Chemical Nomenclature; by S. D. TILLMAN, A.M., Professor of Technology in the Am. Inst. of the city of New York. pp. 23.This paper was read before the American Association at the Buffalo meeting last August. Prof. T. attempts to embrace both nomenclature and notation in one mnemonical method, which is certainly very ingenious, and surprisingly successful. He exhibits an accurate acquaintance with chemical facts and relations. But his system does away with the old landmarks too entirely to be received into the philosophy of chemistry. 9. Memoirs of the National Academy, Vol I. pp. 344, 4to. Washington, 1866. This first volume of the Memoirs of the National Academy of Sciences contains the following papers read before the Academy in 1864, 1865: (1.) Reduction of the observations of the fixed stars made by Joseph Le Paute d'Agelet, at Paris, during the years 1783-1785, with a catalogue of the corresponding mean places referred to the equinox of 1800-0; by B. A. GOULD, (2.) On the Saturnian system; by BENJAMIN PEIrce. (3.) On shooting stars; by H. A. NEWTON. (4.) On the distribution of certain important diseases in the United States; by AUGUSTUS A. GOULD. (5.) On rifled guns; by W. H. C. BARTLETT. Dr. Gould's paper was noticed in this Journal in our last volume, and the principal part of Prof. Newton's appeared in vol. xxxix. First Annual Report of the Geology of Kansas; by Prof. B. MUDGE, A.M. 56 pp., 8vo. Lawrence (Kansas), 1866. Report for the year 1864. Preliminary Report of the Geological Survey of Kansas; by Prof. G. C. SWALLOW, State Geologist. 198 pp.. 8vo. Lawrence, 1866. Report for the year 1866. PROCEEDINGS BOST. NAT. HIST. Soc., Vol. X.-P. 358, Formation of the excavated lake basins of New England; N. S. Shaler.-Vol. XI. P. 1, Anatomy and physiology of the ciliary muscle in man; B. J. Jeffries.-p. 3, On a cat with supernumerary digits; B. G. Wilder.-p. 8, Formation of mountain chains; N. S. Shaler. PROCEEDINGS ACAD. NAT. SCI. PHILADELPHIA, No. 3, June, July and August, 1866. -p. 236, Introduction of American shad into the Alabama river; W. C. Daniell.— p. 238, Description of some new species of Diurnal Lepidoptera; Tryon Reakirt.— p. 251, Contributions to the paleontology of Illinois and other western states; F. B. Meek & A. H. Worthen.-p. 275, Remarks on the remains of a gigantic Dinosaur from Cretaceous green sand of New Jersey; E. D. Cope.-p. 279, Notes on the Vespertilionidae of tropical America; H. Allan. PROCEEDINGS AMER. PHILOSOPH. Soc. PHILADELPHIA, Vol. X, No. 75.-P. 196, Observations on skylight polarization; P. E. Chase. p. 199, Practical application of diamagnetism; J. C. Cresson.-p. 201, Native Siamese photography; Duboisp. 203, Odjibowé François dictionary: G. A. Belconot.-p. 206, The auroral display Feb. 20-21; J. C. Cresson.-p. 219, On Sullivant & Lesquereux's Musci Bor. Amer. ; T. P. James. p. 211, Obituary of Oswald Thompson; E. K. Price.-p. 223, On the comparative visibility of Arago's, Babinet's and Brewster's neutral points; P. E. Chase. p. 227, Records of oil-borings (with map); J. P. Lesley.-p. 243, On some specimens of Indian pottery (with plate); F. Peale.—p. 246, Observations on some species of Spirifera; J. Hall. PROCEEDINGS AMER, ACAD. ARTS AND SCI., Vol. VII.-P. 2, On certain formulæ of interpolation; Ferrell.-p. 31, An annual variation in the daily mean level of the ocean and its causes; Ferrell,-p. 37, Right ascensions observed at Harvard Coll. Observatory in the years 1862-1865; T. H. Safford.-p. 39, Some focal properties of quadratics; J. E. Oliver.~p. 52, On the Nephila plumipes, or silk-spider; B. G. Wilder.-p. 57, The aqueous lines of the solar spectrum; J. P. Cooke, Jr.—p. 68, Notes on the cells of the Bee; J. Wyman.-p. 84. New process of organic elementary analysis for substances containing chlorine; C. M. Warren. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE [SECOND SERIES.] ART. XVI.-On the Decrease of the Rate of Increase of Population now obtaining in Europe and America; by HORATIO ROBINSON STORER, of Boston, Professor of Obstetrics and the Diseases of Women in Berkshire Medical College. (Read before the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Dec. 14, 1858.)* IN calling the attention of the Academy to some remarkable and hitherto unexplained facts in the present history of powerful nations, bearing upon their prosperity, progress and even their future existence, I beg heed to the various steps by which I shall arrive at certain astounding conclusions, of the deepest interest to political economists, as well as to moralists. In many countries of Europe, it has been ascertained that the "fecundity" of the population, in other words the rate of its annual increase, is rapidly diminishing. *The above paper, as will be seen, was prépared and read nearly ten years ago. It was thought best at the time to confine its discussion to the Medical profession, that any error either in statistics or reasoning might be detected. Portions of it were accordingly published in Philadelphia under the auspices of the American Medical Association, as correlative to the report of a committee, of which the writer was chairman. The event has shown the justice of his conclusions. Not an attempt even has been made to controvert them, while evidence in their favor has been steadily accumulating of an overwhelming character. Physicians are now of one mind as to the existence of the main facts proved. This has been shown by the authoritative issue for general circulation of the late Prize Essay of the Am. Med. Association (Why Not? A Book for Every Woman), and by the publication of corroborative testimony by many practitioners, in different parts of the country. This fact and the increased interest taken in the subject by the leading political economists of Europe, would show that the time was now ripe for its discussion by the scientific world.-H. R. 8. AM. JOUR. SCI.-Second Series, VOL. XLIII, No. 128.-MARCH, 1867. In Sweden, it has lessened by one-ninth in sixty-one years; in Prussia, by a third in 132 years; in Denmark by a quarter in 82 years; in England, by two sevenths in a century; in Russia, by an eighth in 28 years; in Spain, by a sixth in 30 years; in Germany, by a thirteenth in 17 years; and in France, by a third in 71 years. Or, to reduce these fractions to decimals-in Sweden the rate of increase has lessened by a fifth, in Prussia by a fourth, in Denmark and England by a third, and in Russia, Spain, Germany and France by a half, in a single century. For convenience sake, larger bodies of statistics existing concerning it, and from the fact that it represents the extreme of the alleged decrease, I shall take France as the basis of my comparisons. In France at large, according to the official returns as analyzed by Legoyt, the increase of the population, which from 1801-06 was at the rate of 1.3 per cent, annually, from 1806-46 had fallen to about 5 per cent. The exact ratio of decrease after this period is better shown by the figures themselves. The increase from In England during the latter period, with a population of but one half the size, the returns of the Registrar-General showing a relative increase nine times greater. In 37 years from 1817-54 the mean annual increase in France was not more than 156,000; yet in five years, from 1846-51, it had fallen to 76,000 yearly, and from 1851-56 to 51,200; and this, with a population ranging from 29 to 34 millions! A comparison of these facts with those obtaining in other European states, will make the above still more evident. TABLE I.-Rate of increase in Europe (according to Rau).§ A similar and corroborative table, containing additional matter, is given by Quetelet; its differences from the preceding are owing to its representing a different series of years. *Moreau de Jonnés, Eléments de Statistique, 1856, p. 202. Journal des Economistes, March and May, 1847. Edinb. Rev., Jan. 1857, p. 342; Med. Times and Gazette, May, 1857, p. 462. Sur l'Homme et le Développement de ses Facultés, tom. i, ch. 7. TABLE II-Rate of increase in Europe (according to Quetelet). And more recently, Legoyt* brings up these results to the close of 1846, by census, and by the annual excess of births over deaths, and is therefore more reliable. TABLE III-Rate of increase in Europe (according to Legoyt) by census. TABLE IV.-Rate of increase in Europe (according to Legoyt) by annual excess of births. In four departments of France, among which are two of the most thriving of Normandy, the deaths actually exceed the births.t From the above facts the general mortality not being exces sive, it is evident that the percentage of births to the whole population must be smaller in France than in most other European countries; and from the lessened annual rate of increase of the population, that the percentage of births must be decreasing in similar ratio. From larger statistics furnished by De Jonnés, I have compiled the following table of the comparative ratios of births to the population in the different countries of Europe. TABLE V-Annual ratio of Births in Europe. Venice and dependencies 1827, 1 to 23 Tuscany 1834, .... Lombardy 1828, Wurtemberg 1821-27, Prussia 1836,. Mecklenberg 1826,. [Sardinia 1820,..... Naples and dependencies 1830, Greece 1828, * Journal des Economistes, May, 1847. Mill, Prin. of Pol. Econ., i, p. 343. 1 to 26 |