Births of the two Sexes. 9l 



The comparative number of illegitimate children in different 

 countries stands thus : for every thousand legitimate there are 

 Illegitimate. 

 In France, - . _ 69-7 ^ 



Naples, - - - 48.4 



Prussia, - - - 76.4 



Westphalia, - 88.1 



Towns of Westphalia, - 217.4 ^ 

 Montpellier, - - _ 91.6 

 I shall notice one other circumstance connected with this sub- 

 ject. It is the remarkable excess of males amongst the children 

 of the Jews in Prussia. For every ten thousand females born 

 amongst them there are 11,292 males. 



It would be interesting to examine this fact amongst the 

 Jews in other countries, and still more so, could we procure 

 any correct enumeration of births in any country in which the 

 Mahometan religion prevails. 



I cannot conclude this subject, without recalling to your 

 notice a statement, in the History of the Academy of Sciences 

 of Paris for the year 1827. It is stated as the result of some 

 experiments lately tried, that in a flock of sheep consisting of 71 

 females and 61 males, by selecting strong females and young 

 males, and by feeding the females high and not the males, the 

 result was amongst the births 



Males. Females. 



53 84 



by the reverse process 80 50 



Another singular fact which appears from the annexed tables 

 is the greater fertility of the Jews in Prussia than of the Chris- 

 tian inhabitants. Each marriage amongst the latter produces 

 4.78 children, whilst each marriage amongst the Jews produces 

 5.35 children, on an average. 



I have now stated some of the conclusions to which the sub- 

 joined tables lead. Many others of great interest remain ; but I 

 hope I have stated enough to excite the curiosity of those who 

 may have leisure and opportunity, and to induce them to add 

 to our knowledge by the publication of similar enumerations. 

 I remain, my dear Sir, your faithful servant, 



C. Babbage. 

 Dorset Street, Manchester Square, 

 May 7th, 1829. 



