New volumes of the Encyclopædia Britannica > Volume 30, K-MOR

511
MAN, ISLE OE
cheek-teeth are of a tritubercular type (Fig. 6), while in the
second and smaller form (Nesopithecus) the dentition makes
a notable approximation to that of the Cercopithecidce.
Possibly these gigantic lemuroids were living in the times
of the early voyagers. Dr F. Major has also discovered a
remarkable similarity in the structure of the internal ear
between the existing Malagasy lemurs and Adapis of the
European Oligocene. From the Miocene of Patagonia
have been obtained remains of a genus (Homunculus)
nearly allied to the existing Cebidae. Much interest has
been attracted by the discovery in a bed of volcanic ash in
Fig. 6.—Skull and. hinder upper cheek-teeth of Megaladapis.
Java of the imperfect roof of a skull, together with two
molar teeth and a thigh-bone, supposed to indicate a very
low type of man-like creature, for which the name
Pithecanthropus erectus has been Suggested. The forehead
is extremely low, with beetling brow-ridges, and the whole
calvarium presents a curiously gibbon-like aspect.
Although the capacity of the brain-case is estimated to
have equalled but two-thirds that of an average modern
man, the creature still appears to have been a member of
the family Hominidoe—assuming that all the remains are
associated. (r. l*.)
Man, Isle Of, the ancient Mona, an island in the
Irish Sea, 33 miles west of England, 30 miles east of
Ireland, 16 miles south of Scotland, and 56 miles north
of Wales; greatest breadth 12 miles; length, north-east
to south-west, 33 miles.
Climate.—Recent observations enable us to give more
accurate and detailed climatic statistics than were possible
in 1882. The mean annual temperature of the 70 years
between 1828 and 1897 was JO^O0, that of the summer
being 57’20 and of the winter 42‘0°. The mean variation
between the warmest month (August), 58-5°, and the
coldest (January), 41'4°, was 17°. The annual rainfall
varies greatly in the different districts, the calculated
mean of 70 years (1828-97) giving 61 inches on the
summit of Snaefell, 47 inches at Ramsey, 46 inches at
Douglas, 38 inches at Peel, 34 inches at Castletown, 28
inches at the Point of Ay re, and 25 inches at the Calf of
Man. Observations of bright sunshine show the Isle of
Man to be one of the sunniest places in the British Isles.
Minerals.—In 1899 the value of the lead obtained was
£59,210 ; of the zinc, £24,701 ; and of the silver, £8236.
The value of the granite quarried was £2445.
Agriculture.—In 1900 the total acreage under all kinds
of crops, bare fallow, and grass was 92,184, of which
21,890 acres were under corn crops (oats, 13,393 ; barley,
7382; wheat, 814; rye, beans, and peas, 301), 10,938
acres under green crops, 39,238 acres under rotation
grasses, and 20,118 acres under permanent grass, &c.
There were also 25,781 acres of mountain pasture and
1026 acres of orchards, woods, and market-gardens.
Horses, 3399 of which were used solely for agriculture,
numbered 5139; cows, 21,988; sheep, 75,047; and
pigs, 2679.
Trade.—In 1900 the tonnage of vessels cleared for
coastwise traffic was 717,150, and for foreign and colonial
traffic, 668. The number of vessels (other than fishing-
boats) registered as belonging to the Isle of Man in 1900
was 91, and their tonnage was 13,233. In the same year
there were 308 fishing-boats aggregating 5103 tons, which
employed 1470 men and 212 boys.
Internal communication has been much facilitated by
the provision of tramways along Douglas Bay1 (1883),
between Douglas and Laxey2 (1895), between Laxey and
the summit of Snaefell2 (1896), in Douglas3 (1897), and
between Laxey and Ramsey2 (1898).
Population has remained almost stationary since 1881.
Total (1891), 55,608; (1901), 54,758. In 1901 the
population of Douglas was 19,149; of Ramsey, 4672 ;
of Peel, 3306 ; and of Castletown, 1963.
Births, Marriages, and Deaths.—The following are the rates
per thousand of the population for five-year periods between 1884
and 1898
Language. — The Manx language still lingers, the census of
1901 showing that' there were still about 4400 people who
understood something of it. There is now no one who does not
speak English.
Elementary Education.—Total number of schools 53, 42 being
Board and 11 denominational (6 Church of England, 3 Wes¬
leyan, 2 Roman Catholic). Percentage of attendance, 85 Ml ;
average attendance, 8206. Amount of Government grant per
child, 19s. 8'4d. Receipts from rates, £8794; total expenditure,
£30,222.
Rateable Value.—The rateable annual value of the parishes,
towns, and villages was £392,528 in 1900.
Revenue for the year ending 31st March 1902 was £78,382,
and the expenditure £75,542. The present debt is £160,224.
The largest revenue raised was £91,339 in 1901, and the debt
reached its maximum amount, £219,531, in 1894.
Poor Relief.—The total number of persons in receipt of poor
relief in 1900 was 934, and its cost was £4842.
Lunatics numbered 206 in 1901 ; their cost was £4168.
History.
Constitutional. — On the departure of the duke of
Atholl in 1829 the Tynwald Court had no control over
the surplus revenue, and this continued to be the case till
1866, when it gained, if not the sole control of this
revenue,4 at least a substantial share in the disposal of it.
Since 1866 it has also obtained a real instead of a
nominal voice in fixing the customs duties, subject to
the veto of Parliament or the Treasury; and of late years
it has become the practice for this court to elect a com¬
mittee of its members to advise the Governor in financial
matters.
The change of the House of Keys in 1866 from a self-
elected to a representative body has already been referred
to (vol. xv. p. 452). In 1880 it established its right to
regulate its own sittings, which had been disputed. The
1 Horse. 2 Electric. 3 Cable traction.
4 In the article in vol. xv. it was stated in error that the Keys
gained the control of the surplus revenue in 1866.