posted on 2023-11-22, 08:40authored byRobert Mackenzie Johnston
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.)
History
Publication title
Papers & Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania
Pagination
53-59
Rights statement
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..