468 Of the Checks to Population Bk. ii. 



it is remarked, that though few people died of 

 absolute famine, yet that mortal diseases almost 

 universally followed. 



It is remarked also, in some parishes, that the 

 number of the births and marriages is affected by 

 years of scarcity and plenty. 



Of the parish of Dingwall,* in the county of 

 Ross, it is observed that, after the scarcity of 

 1783, the births were 16 below the average, and 

 14 below the lowest number of late years. The 

 year 1787 was a year of plenty ; and the following 

 year the births increased in a similar proportion, 

 and were 17 above the average, and 11 above the 

 highest of the other years. 



In the account of Dunrossness,f in Orkney, 

 the writer says that the annual number of mar- 

 riages depends much on the seasons. In good 

 years they may amount to thirty or upwards ; 

 but, when crops fail, will hardly come up to the 

 half of that number. 



The whole increase of Scotland, since the time 

 of Dr. Webster's survey in 1755, is about 260,000,;}; 

 for which a proportionate provision has been made 

 in the improved state of agriculture and manufac- 

 tures, and in the increased cultivation of potatoes, 

 which in some places form two-thirds of the diet 



* Vol. iii. p. i. 



t Vol. vii. p. 391. 



% According to the returns in the enumeration of 1 800, the whole 

 population of Scotland was above 1,590,000, and therefore the 

 increase up to that time was above 320,000. Tn 1810 the popu- 

 lation was 1,805,688; and in 1820, 2,093,456. 



