This fact is strikingly exhibited by the following table of continuous observations taken by M. Quetelet with Peltier's electrometer:-- Average Mean 1844-1848. 1849. ° ° January, 53 39 February, 47 36 March, 38 27 April, 27 20 May, 21 16 June, 18 13 July, 19 14 August, 21 21 September, 24 24 In 1849, the deaths exceed the calculated average number by 79, and the births exceed the deaths by 74. In the seven years ending with 1845, the mean annual number of deaths in the town and suburb, with an assumed population of 17,867, is 410, being 22·9 per thousand, or one death in every 43·5 persons. In 1846, 1847, and 1848 (assumed average population 18,329), the mean annual number is 694, being 37·8 deaths per thousand, or 1 in every 26·4 persons in those three most unhealthy years. In 1849 the deaths are 606, which, assuming the population to be the same as in 1848, give 32·2 deaths per 1000, or 1 death in every 31 persons. The average annual number of deaths in the ten years 1839-48 is 495, which, with an assumed population of 17,713, gives 27·9 per 1000, or 1 death in every 35·7 inhabitants. So that the mortality in 1849, although still above the average, shews a marked improvement in the health of the town as compared with any of the three preceding years; and, in the last quarter, the deaths are below the average for the period. THE OBSERVATORY, WHITEHAVEN, _13th March 1850_. _The Completed Coral Island._ By JAMES D. DANA, Geologist to the American Exploratory Expedition, &c., &c. The Coral Island, in its best condition, is but a miserable residence for man. There is poetry in every feature; but the natives find this a poor substitute for the bread-fruit and yams of more favoured lands. The cocoa-nut and pandanus are, in general, the only products of the vegetable kingdom afforded for their sustenance, and fish and crabs from the reef their only animal food. Scanty, too, is the supply; and infanticide is resorted to in self-defence, where but a few years would otherwise overstock the half-dozen square miles of which their little world consists.