TABOO AND GENETICS i8i 



planation would emphasize sensitiveness to 

 suggestion as a factor in the process. Yet in 

 spite of these rational explanations of woman's 

 swift conclusions on matters of importance, she 

 is still accredited with a mysterious faculty 

 of intuition. 



A curious instance of the peculiar forms in 

 which old taboos hnger on in modern life is the 

 taboos on certain words and on discussion of 

 certain subjects. The ascetic idea of the un- 

 cleanness of the sex relation is especially 

 noticeable. A study of 150 girls made by the 

 writer in 1916-17 showed a taboo on thought 

 and discussion among well-bred girls of the 

 following subjects, which they characterize as 

 " indehcate," " polluting," and " things com- 

 pletely outside the knowledge of a lady." 



1. Things contrary to custom, often called 

 *' wicked " and " immoral." 



2. Things " disgusting," such as bodily func- 

 tions, normal as well as pathological, and all the 

 implications of uncleanliness. 



3. Things uncanny, that " make your flesh 

 creep," and things suspicious. 



4. Many forms of animal life which it is a 

 commonplace that girls will fear or which are 

 considered unclean. 



5. Sex differences. 



6. Age differences. 



