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CHAP. X. 



Of the Checks to Population in Scotland and Ireland. 



An examination, in detail, of the statistical ac- 

 count of Scotland, would furnish numerous illus- 

 trations of the principle of population ; but I have 

 already extended this part of the work, so much, 

 that I am fearful of tiring the patience of my 

 readers; and shall therefore confine my remarks 

 in the present instance to a few circumstances 

 which have happened to strike me. 



On account of the acknowledged omissions in 

 the registers of births, deaths and marriages in 

 most of the parishes of Scotland, few just infer- 

 ences can be drawn from them. Many give ex- 

 traordinary results. In the parish of Crossmi- 

 chael* in Kircudbright, the mortality appears to 

 be only 1 in 98, and the yearly marriages 1 in 

 192. These proportions would imply the most 

 unheard-of healthiness, and the most extraor- 

 dinary operation of the preventive check ; but 

 there can be but little doubt that they are princi- 

 pally occasioned by the omissions in the registry 

 of burials, and the celebration of a part of the 

 marriages in other parishes. 



In general, however, it appears, from registers 



* Statistical Account of Scotland, vol, i. p. 167. 



