HUMAN LONGEVITY. 125 



often belong to particular periods of life only (as that of in- 

 fancy), and affect more partially than might be supposed the 

 result with which we are here mainly concerned. 



We have already spoken of the excellence of our recent 

 English registration, as attested by the volumes annually 

 published. Though they afford us no present cases of 

 longevity equivalent to those of Jenkins and Parr, they 

 indicate a medium duration of life, and a proportion of lives 

 above 100, at least equal to what exists in any other country. 

 Taking two recent years as a brief illustration, we find in 

 1852, when the population of England and Wales was 18 

 millions, there died 35 males above 100 years of age, the 

 oldest 105; and 53 females, of whom three reached 106, 

 one 107, and two 108 years. In the following year, the 

 register tells us of the deaths of 31 males, and 62 females, 

 above 100; the oldest male 109, the oldest female 110 

 years.* We may add regarding England, that the low rate 

 of medium annual mortality (not exceeding 2J per cent., 

 and much below that of most European nations) expresses 

 causes which must undoubtedly have effect in multiplying 

 the cases of great age. As we have already said, the in- 

 fluence of these causes is limited by various considerations ; 

 but we cannot reasonably exclude it ; or deny that there may 

 exist from this source certain mean differences of longevity 

 in the several races and nations of mankind, as with respect 

 to stature and other marked features of bodily conformation. 

 The evidence is not yet sufficient to define these differences, 

 or the precise conditions producing them. The reasons, 

 however, already urged lead us to believe that the disparity, 

 when ascertained, will not be found considerable in amount. 



In pursuing this question of human longevity, we pass 



* The returns recently issued for 1860, show that in that year 22 men and 

 47 women died, who had reached, or gone beyond, 100 years of age. One 

 woman, in Glamorganshire, reached 111 years. Two men are recorded as 

 haying each lived to 107 years. 



