TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION F. 617 
population of the globe was supposed to be 850,000,000, considered that the 
number of deaf-mutes then living was 600,000. Since that date there has been 
a large increase of population, and in the extent of our knowledge as to the number 
of the dwellers upon the earth. Messrs. Behm and Wagner in 1875 estimated the 
population of the earth to be 1,596,843,000.2 Accordingly, in the following year, 
taking the figure at fourteen hundred millions, the present writer, accepting the 
proportion previously employed by Guyot, calculated the deaf-mutes in the world 
to be 933,000.° It seems to be desirable to renew such estimates from time to 
time, as they are useful and convenient, if it be remembered that they should only 
be regarded as roughly approximating to the probable facts of the case. The latest 
detailed estimate of the population of the globe is that given by Mr. H. P. 
Hubbard. In this estimate the important results of the latest of the American 
census and similar recent enumerations are included. Mr. Hubbard calculates 
the total population of the globe to be 1,623,178,161. We may therefore suppose 
that the number of deaf-mutes in the world is now 1,082,132. Supposing they 
were all congregated, the city of silence would be more than twice the size of 
Manchester and its immediate districts. 
5. On the Palestine Channel and Canal Scheme. 
By Cornetivs Watrorp, F.S.8. 
The author claimed for the question of the Palestine Canal consideration 
rather as of national import, than as belonging to the region of party politics, and 
traced the financial history of the present canal, showing that, though constructed at 
a nominal cost of 19,000,000 sterling, the sum of 52,000,000, or as ‘some well- 
informed people’ think, 70,000,000 sterling, has been the probable expenditure; 
that of this nominal capital England, at a cost of over 4,000,000/., has secured 
one-sixth of the shares, which, though now bearing interest at only 5 per cent., 
will in 1894 receive the regular dividends; and that in return for this large financial 
stake in the undertaking, this country possesses in the control but 22 votes 
against an unlimited number of French ones. The tolls exacted are 10frs, per 
ton of cargo and 10frs. per passenger, plus pilotage dues; and to the aggregate 
collected, British ships contribute 80 per cent., against 9 per cent. French and 
4 per cent. Dutch, whilst the value of our shipping passing annually through the 
canal is 12,000,0002., and that of the cargoes they carry not less than 40,000,0000. 
The existing canal is about 100 miles long ; from 190 to 320 feet wide on the surface, 
and 72 feet at bottom, and 26 feet deep. The block system is employed in,its 
navigation ; the grounding of a vessel causes the immediate cessation of the traffic 
in both directions ; all vessels, unless on mail service, have to anchor during the 
night; and from these and other causes, among which may be included the action 
of pilots and the obstruction of dredging machines, a passage which could be easily 
accomplished in seventeen hours takes on an average forty hours, and frequently 
much longer. 
While admitting the advantages of this waterway, which has reduced the 
sailing distance to Ceylon by one-half, and to Bombay by more than one-third, 
the fact is becoming every day more apparent that the canal is inadequate to the 
demands of British commerce alone. In answer to the question, What is to be 
done? four remedies have been suggested, of which two principally received the 
author's attention. The first of these, viz., a second canal alongside the existing 
one, has gained the approbation of the British Government. This, however, re- 
quires ‘an outlay, by way of loan to the existing company, of 8,000,000 sterling at 
33 per cent. interest.’ The right of control also is to remain in the same hands; 
? Guyot, Liste Littéraire Philosophe, p. 341. 
? Behm und Wagner, Bevilkerung der Erde. Gotha, i875. 
& American Annals of the Deaf and Dunb, vol. xxi. p. 253, October 1876. 
* Hubbard, Newspaper and Bank Directory of the World. New York, 1882. 
