BY R. M. JOHNSTON, F.L.S. 199 



the effects of opposing passion might wreck its efficacy at any 

 moment if we do not contemplate the superior strength and 

 continuous exertion of the higber moral virtue. 



I think i have in these observations fairly vindicated the 

 nobility of Malthus' ideal, however we may demur to it as 

 regards adequacy. It has also been clearly shown that the 

 problem is a serious one ; and individuals, and the poorer 

 classes often reach the limit of the means of subsistence long 

 before society as a whole feels its pressure. How are we to 

 eliminate the elements of disease, vice, and misery which at 

 present form the only check C against over-population in 

 crowded centres without substituting some adequate check of a 

 superior kind ? This is the problem of Malthus. 



Let us see what a small percentage of increase in population 

 would effect in a short period of time. 



If murder, war or epidemic, disease ur misery, be not 

 further increased, it would follow inevitably — 



That the offspring of eight persons alone, at the present rate 

 of natural increase in Australasia, would so multiply that : — 



(8 persons) In 961 years they would number 1,480 millions, 



equal to the whole present popula- 

 tion of the globe. 



13 14' 3 years they would place one j)erson on 

 every 100 square yards of the land 

 surface of the globe. 



1527 years they would place one person on 

 each square yard of the estimated 

 cultivable portion of the earth's 

 surface. 



1543'9 years they would place one person on 

 each square yard of the total sur- 

 face of the land of the globe. 



But it is more terrible still if we contemplate starting with the 

 existing population of the earth, vi«., 1,480 million persons, 

 and if we also reckon that the same number of acres must be 

 cultivated to supply each person, as at present, viz., 2*83 acres 

 per head nearly. 



With these conditions — 



(1,480 millions) In 85*03 years there would be one person to 



every 2*83 acres of all the culti- 

 vable land surface of the globe. 



122*48 years there would be one person to 

 every 2-83 acres of Jand surface,, 

 whether cultivable or not. 



