Mr Harvey on the Population of North America , 41' 
©rated by aquatic animals , of which there were myriads in con- 
stant motion. Now, as rain-water was only sometimes employ- 
ed, and pump-water not unfrequently used (which may, per- 
haps, contain carbonic acid gas, or a super-carbonate), I must 
assume the whole as warranting my previous conclusions, espe- 
cially when conjoined with the stagnant atmosphere of a conser- 
vatory constantly surcharged with the gaseous products of de- 
caying leaves , &c. 
Art. IX. — Remarks on the Increase of the Population of the 
United States , and Territories of North America , with Ori- 
ginal Tables deduced from the American Population Re- 
turns , to illustrate the various rates of Inn ease in the White 
Population and - Slaves , and also the comparative degrees in 
which Agriculture , Commerce , and Manufactures prevail. 
By George Harvey, Esq. Member of the Astronomical So- 
ciety. Communicated by the Author. 
The following paper owes its origin to a desire of inquiring 
into the growth and progressive augmentation of the population 
of the United States, and territories of North America. The 
subject is important, and connected as it is with so many other 
interesting objects of investigation, it cannot but have awakened 
the curiosity and attention of every one engaged in the cultiva- 
tion of statistical science. In England, and perhaps in most 
other European countries, it is difficult to form a perfect esti- 
mate of the causes which have contributed to the rapid increase 
of the American population, and to the successful advancement 
of the different states and territories of that portion of the globe, 
in arts, manufactures and commerce; and it was principally 
with the hope of obtaining more correct information from some 
of the active and enlightened philosophers on the other side of 
the Atlantic, who, from their habits of personal observation, are 
so well qualified to throw a light on the imperfect elements, 
with which we at present happen to be furnished, that this essay 
is now submitted to the readers of the Edinburgh Journal. 
The object, which it is hoped has been kept steadily in view 
in the composition of this paper, has been to admit no other 
principle or conclusion, than what a careful analysis of the popu* 
