in its relation, to Afjricultuvc. 
437 
power is slugj^ish, almost inert ; so that the young are slow in 
arriving at the adult stage of life, whilst old age, on the contrary, 
is premature. The mean duration of life in that province, 
according to Condorcet, does not exceed eighteen years. Mont- 
falcon says that in the space of twenty-two years the j)opulation 
of ten parishes in the marshy part of the department of Ain, 
which amounted in 1786 to 360(5 inhabitants, had diminished 
by one-eighth. In Sologne the number of deaths greatly exceeds 
that of births. In the parish of Chatillon the annual register of 
births gives an average of 184yV against 204-^% deaths. The 
differenc e in other parts of Bresse is thought to be still greater.* 
The attention of the French Government has been lately drawn 
to this unfortunate district, with the view of applying a remedy. 
The principal proprietors, anxious to drive away this fatal fever 
from its haunts by cultivation, have applied to the Govern- 
ment for a sum of 120,000/., sufficient, as they allege, to drain 
effectually the 25,000 acres which still remain to be re- 
claimed. This sum of 120,000Z. should be distributed in the 
shape of premiums to the proprietors in proportion to the extent of 
their watery domains, and as a sort of indemnity to compensate 
the temporary loss of revenue which would ensue before the con- 
templated measures had produced their beneficial results, the 
property itself remaining in the hands of the Government as a 
pledge for promjjt action on the part of the proprietors, and sub- 
sequent good cultivation; this kind of eventual mortgage being 
held to be a sufficient guarantee that the premiums would be well 
and effectually applied. An offer has been made to begin with 
about one-half of this extent ; but the inhabitants justly object, that 
it would be both unjust and impolitic to do otherwise than grapple 
with the whole enterprise at once. Nothing has yet been done, 
but this vital question cannot remain long in abeyance ; the 
evil is too glaring, the remedy too obvious. 
The Table on the next page, compiled by M, Becquerel in 1850, 
will be found interesting from its shov/ing the relation Avhich the 
existence of stagnant waters bears to the duration of life. 
In the department of the Ain a highly suggestive Table has been 
made, as regards the fluctuations of the population, comparing 
some of the towns that are situated at some elevations in the 
Jura mountains with others lying in the midst of the marshy plain. 
Increase. Decrease. 
Belley 26-3 
Nantua 18-4 
Gex G-2 
Boiirg 72-8 
Trevoux 62-7 
* ' Annuaire des Eaux de la France,' p. 22. 
