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Problem of Malthus stated

Johnston, Robert Mackenzie 1888 , 'Problem of Malthus stated' , Papers & Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania , pp. 53-59 .

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Abstract

Darwin(page 52, Origin of Species) has observed *' that
in a state of nature almost every full-grown plant annually
produces seed, and amongst animals there are few which do
not annually pair. Hence we may confidently assert that all
plants and animals are tending to increase at a geometrical
ratio—that all would rapidly stock every station in which
they could anyhow exist. And this geometrical tendency to
increase must be checked by destruction at some period of
life," and, as an inevitable consequence, he goes on to add
" that each individual lives by a struggle at some period of
its life, that heavy destruction falls either on the young or
old during each generation, or at recurrent intervals.
Lighten any check, mitigate the destruction ever so little,
and the number of the species will almost instantaneously
increase to any amount."
These considerations when fully appreciated form the
foundation of the problem of Malthus. - An Essay on the Principle of Population. Malthus, (2 vols. Loudon,
1826.)

Item Type: Article
Authors/Creators:Johnston, Robert Mackenzie
Keywords: Royal Society of Tasmania, Van Diemens Land, VDL, Hobart Town, natural sciences, proceedings, records
Journal or Publication Title: Papers & Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania
Collections: Royal Society Collection > Papers & Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania
Additional Information:

In 1843 the Horticultural and Botanical Society of Van Diemen's Land was founded and became the Royal Society of Van Diemen's Land for Horticulture, Botany, and the Advancement of Science in 1844. In 1855 its name changed to Royal Society of Tasmania for Horticulture, Botany, and the Advancement of Science. In 1911 the name was shortened to Royal Society of Tasmania.

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