279 



Table showing the approximate coincidences of death-rate 

 * maxima or minima, with Jupiter's perihelion or aphelion 

 positions, and with epochs of sun-spot maxima or minima : 



The above tables show, with regard to Jupiter's positions, 

 3 perihelia and 2 aphelia to death-rate min.; also, 1 aphelion to 

 death-rate max. Sun-spots, 2 max. and 1 min., to death-rate 

 min.; also, 1 max. and 1 min. to death-rate max. Nothing 

 very conclusive about this, anyway. 



To sum up the foregoing observations, I may say, firstly, 

 that, theoretically, it is highly improbable that Jupiter can 

 have any influence upon us whatever, and that statistics, so far 

 as they go, fail to show that he has. 



Secondly, that it is, theoretically, more probable that physi- 

 cal changes in the sun, such as variation in spottedness, should 

 have some such influence, but that solar observations and vital 

 statistics have not run together long enough to establish the 

 fact of any connection between them. 



It is interesting to note that Mr. Johnston's death-rate 

 curves all show an upward tendency during the past year or 

 two, corresponding in time with a period of abnormal telluric 

 disturbance, and also with abnormal atmospheric conditions, as 

 shown by our recent sunset glows. Considering the intimate 

 relationship that exists between the air we breathe, and our 

 very existence, is it too much to suppose that the circumstance 

 referred to may have something to do with the present upward 

 tendency of our death-rate curves ? 



In connection with this enquiry it is much to be regretted 

 that our vital statistics do not reach farther back. However, 

 the question opened up by Mr. Johnston is of sufficient interest 

 to merit special consideration in the future, although the phe- 



"'■" Abbreviations— " M.," maximum ; " Min.," minimum ; " P." perihelion; 

 "A.," aphelion. 



