OUR POPULATION AND ITS DISTRIBUTION 369 



Ybab. 



1790 

 1800 

 1810 

 1820 

 1830 

 1840 

 1850 

 1860 

 1870 

 1880 

 1890 



The regularity of increase from 1800 to 1860 is striking, and 

 tlien the influence of the war and of other elements is shown in 

 the serious break in the regularity which occurs between 1860 

 and 1870, the percentage dropping from 3511 in 1860 to 22*65 in 

 1870. With increased industrial and commercial activity the per- 

 centage rose again in 1880 to 30"08, but has now receded to 24"86. 

 The influence of immigration upon this great increase in popula- 

 tion, and the rate of natural increase since the decade from 1830 

 to 1840, are shown as follows : 



Until the full data of the census for 1890 are available, it is 

 impossible to make any careful study of the reasons why the 

 natural increase of population should vary so greatly. The high- 

 est natural increase during the period of immigration, as shown 

 in the foregoing table, was between 1830 and 1840, it having been 

 28'87 per cent, the lowest natural increase being during the last 

 decade, when it was 14'40. It seems almost incredible that such a 

 variation could actually occur in the natural increase of popula- 

 tion ; but this matter must be left for future consideration. The 

 population at the last three censuses has been distributed over the 

 country, in accordance with geographical divisions, as follows : 



VOL. XL. — 28 



