52 Sir R. I. Murchison on the 



The average number of deaths in the 12 years ending with 1850, 

 is 503, which, with an assumed population of 18,143, gives 27*7 

 deaths per thousand, or 1 death in every 36 persons. 



In 1846, 1847, and 1848 (assumed average population, 18,329), 

 the mean annual number is 694, being 37'8 deaths per thousand, 

 or one in every 26*4 inhabitants, in those exceedingly fatal years. 



In 1849, the mortality is equivalent to 32*2 deaths per thousand, 

 or 1 in every 31 persons ; and in 1850, to 24*9 deaths per thou- 

 sand, or 1 in every 40 inhabitants. The improvement in the sani- 

 tary condition of Whitehaven during the last two years is very striking, 

 and is probably to be attributed, in a great measure, to the abun- 

 dance and cheapness of food, and to the copious supply of pure water 

 conveyed to the town from Ennerdale Lake. 



Observatory, Whitehaven^ 

 November 6, 1852. 



On the Basin-like Form of Africa. By Sir R. I. Murchison, 

 late President of the Geographical Society. 



Geographers will be gratified to learn that a map of South 

 Africa, compiled by our learned associate Mr Cooley, and 

 extending from the equator to 19° S. latitude, is about to 

 appear under the execution of Mr Arrowsmith. With such 

 a valuable document, and with the map of the whole of the 

 Cape Colony, we shall soon have before us a general sketch 

 of the physical features of a large portion of this quarter of 

 the globe. So much, however, has our knowledge increased 

 by the valuable original map of the Cape Colony made upon 

 the spot by Mr Hall (of which Mr Arrowsmith is preparing 

 a reduction), that we are, as I will now endeavour to shew, 

 almost entitled to speculate on the prevailing structure of 

 Africa being similar to that of its southernmost extremity. 



In support of the general view to which I now call your 

 attention, I must state that it has been suggested to my 

 mind by the explanation of the geological phenomena of the 

 Cape Colony by Mr A. Bain. This modest but resolute 

 man, having been for many years a road-surveyor in the 

 colony, had, in all his excursions, collected specimens of the 

 rocks and their organic remains ; and, gradually making 

 himself acquainted with the true principles of geology, ho 



