The following are the facts in so far as regards France : From 1801 to 1810 the number of births was in the proportion of 32.3 per 1000; from 1811 to 1820 it was 316; while from 1820 to 1830 it was 30.8. This proportion, which by reason of its lowness, is much to be regretted, had not, however, anything very extraordinary in itself. It is true that it was lower than the actual birth-rate in Prussia, Bavaria, Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland, but it nevertheless assured to us an annual excess of nearly 200, 000 births over deaths. From 1830 until 1850 the diminution in the birth-rate became accentuated. From 1831 to 1840 the proportion of births was in the ratio of 29 per 1000 inhabitants, and from 1841 to 1850, of 27.4 per 1000. Under the second empire there was another slight falling off. From 1851 to 1860 the average rate was 26.3 per 1000; and it remained absolutely stationary during the period 1860–70. Since then the falling off has become more marked, as from 1870 to 1880 the mean rate was no higher than 25.4 per 1000, and this proportion fell to 24.6 during the period 1881–85; it fell still lower in 1886, until in 1887 it reached 23.5, while in 1888 it was only 23.4. Since the commencement of this century, therefore, the procreative power of the nation has fallen from 32.3 per 1000 to 23.4, or a loss of about one-fourth, and since 1870 alone this power has diminished from the proportion of 26.3 to 23.4 per 1000.