[Proc. Koy. Soc. Victokia, 25 (N.S.). l^''- ^^■> 1-*1^]- 



Art. XX. — Tlir. Correlation of Size of Head and Intelligence 

 as Estimated from the Cubic Capacity of Brain of 

 S55 Melhourne Crimiiials. 



Bv RICHARD J, A. BERRY, M.D., F.R.S.E. 



(Professor of Anatomy in thfi University of Melbourne) 



L. W. G. BUCHNER 



(Government Research Scholar in the Anatomy Department of the 

 University of Melbourne). 



[Read lOtli October. 1912 . 



The present iiivestij,Mtioii deals with head measureiueiits of 35."> 

 male adult criminals incarcerated in Pentridge and ^lelbourne 

 Gaols, for various offences against the law. For permission tO' 

 carry out the research we have to tender our thanks to Mr. Calla- 

 way, the Acting Inspector of Penal Establishments, and to Messrs. 

 Paterson and Edgar, the respective Governors of Melbourne and 

 Pentridge Gaols. The objects of the research are threefold. Fir.st, 

 to determine the amount of brain in cubic centimetres possessed 

 by a class of the community which is presumably of an inferior 

 position in the human scale of society. Second, by comparing the 

 results obtained with those of admittedly superior education and 

 social status to ascertain what, if any, correlation exists ];etween 

 size of head and mentality. Third and last, to discover, if i)ossiliie. 

 what light such an investigation throws on our present social and 

 political methods of dealing with habitual offenders against tlie 

 State. 



In view of the marked importance of the second of these objects: 

 and the divergent opinion which has been expressed thereon, it will 

 be advisable, at tlic outset, to ascertain what are the matured 

 opinions of other coni]>ctent investigators on the hotly-debated 

 question as to the correlation between size of head and intelligence. 

 The problem has been attacked from both a biological and a biomotri- 

 cal standpoint, and with somewhat conflicting results. 



Dr. R. J. Gladstone (1), writing in 1903, states there is a " distinct 

 correlation between large size of head and a high degree of mental 

 ability, this correlation being both absolute and relative to the 

 general size and weight of the body."' 



