[78] Thus, for example, the squamoso-frontal articulation is found in less
than 2 per cent. of European skulls, whilst it is found in 20 per cent.
negroes (Ecker) and 16.9 per cent. Australian skulls (Virchow). Again, the
spheno-pterygoid foramen is found in 4.8 per cent. European skulls and in
20 per cent. American Indians, 30 per cent. Africans, 32 per cent.
Asiatics, and 50 per cent. Australians. So also wormian bones are more
common among the lower races.
[79] A remarkable instance of this simulated atavism is the uniformity
with which (according to Lacassagne, _Archives de l’Anthropologie
Criminelle_, 1886) rapes are effected by methods common among lower races,
and even animals. This is not atavism, but the criminal, being a man of
primitive organisation, will naturally exercise the brutality and lack of
consideration which belong to a lower race.
[80] It may be noted that Rossi found the same precocity in the abuse of
alcohol, in the form of wine--_i.e._, 11 when children, without knowing
the precise age; 2 at five years, 3 at eight, 1 at nine, 6 at ten; and so
on. And sexual precocity was even more notable.
[81] E. J. Kitts, _Serious Crime in an Indian Province_, 1889, pp. 8, 85.
[82] Mr. Horsley has compiled from the Judicial Statistics the following
table of individuals committed more than ten times, with proportion to
total of recommittals:--
+-------------------------------------------+
| Year. | Male. | Female. | Male. | Female. |
|-------|-------|---------|-------|---------|
| 1879 | 3706 | 5673 | 8.3 | 22.4 |
| 1880 | 3691 | 5800 | 8.3 | 23.6 |
| 1881 | 3618 | 6773 | 8.2 | 27.3 |
| 1882 | 4148 | 7496 | 8.8 | 27.4 |
| 1883 | 4391 | 8946 | 8.9 | 29.3 |
| 1884 | 4734 | 9316 | 9.4 | 30.2 |
| 1885 | 5188 | 9451 | 10.0 | 31.6 |
| 1886 | 5074 | 8981 | 10.1 | 33.2 |
| 1887 | 5686 | 9764 | 11.1 | 34.2 |
+-------------------------------------------+
[83] While maternity has this beneficial influence, precocious and random
sexual relationships have an equally grave influence in the opposite
direction. This is clearly shown in the valuable details given by Marro.
[84] _La Criminalité Comparée_, 1886, pp. 51-53.
[85] “Criminologie,” _Revue d’Anthropologie_, Sept. 1888.
[86] “L’Anthropologie Criminelle,” _Revue d’Anthropologie_, 1887.
[87] _Loc. cit._, p. 686.
[88] All the evidence which has so far been accumulated with regard to the
connection between criminality and epilepsy will be found in considerable
detail in the second volume of Lombroso’s great work, _L’Uomo Delinquente_
(1889). To announce any definite conclusions would still be premature.
[89] See Ireland’s _Idiocy_, and Langdon Down’s _Mental Affections of
Childhood and Youth_. The latter contains many valuable facts and
suggestions in this connection.
[90] _In Russian and French Prisons_, p. 359.
[91] _Leaves from a Prison Diary._ Lecture I.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account