583 
over with volcanic cones, from each of which independent eruptions 
took place. To such a kind of scenery the nearest parallel in 
Europe is probably the region of Auvergne and the Haute Loire, 
which the author had recently visited for the purpose of comparison. 
The concluding part of the paper was devoted to a sketch of the 
subterranean movements of upheaval and depression which can be 
shown to have taken place during the volcanic period in the basin of 
the Forth, and to some remarks on the abundance of life in the im- 
mediate vicinity of the volcanic orifices. 
3. On the Constitution of Society in this Country, with refer- 
ence to the Proportion which Male Life bears relatively 
to Female Life, and the Effects of an Excess of Female 
Life. By W. T. Thomson, Esq. 
The object of this paper is to show the prejudicial effect which 
the excess of females has upon the condition and moral well-being 
of society in this country. 
Excess of Males at Birth. 
“ According to the Twenty-Second Annual Report of the Regis- 
trar-General of England for 1859 (published in 1861), 689,881 
births were registered in that year, viz. — 
Male Children, . . . 352,662 
Female Children, . . . 337,219 
Total, . . . 689,881 
that is, 104*58 males to 100 females. 
Of these there were born — 
In wedlock, . . 329,668 males, 315,462 females. 
Out of wedlock, . 22,994 „ 21,757 
352,662 337,219 
showing 105*7 males born in wedlock, to every 100 females so born, 
and 104*5 males born out of wedlock to every 100 females so born.” 
“According to the Second Annual Report of the Registrar- General 
for Scotland for 1856 (published in 1861), 101,821 births were 
registered in that year— 
Male Children, . . 52,239 
Female Children, . . . 49,582 
101,821 
that is, 105.3 males to 100 females. 
