THE PROBLEM OF VICE AND CRIME 



183 



(4) Marie-Reine, died in prison, whither she had 

 been sent for theft ; (5) Marie-Rose, same fate, 

 same deeds ; (6) Victor, now in jail for theft ; (7) 

 Victorine, married one Lemaire ; their son was 

 condemned to death for murder and robbery." 

 Ribot adds: "We have given this instance 

 because it cuts short all explanations drawn 

 from the influence of education and example. 

 Doubtless it is difficult in many cases to 

 determine what is due to education, and what 

 to nature ; and the children of thieves are not 

 very likely to be trained to honesty by their 

 parents ; but still nature is always the stronger 

 agency." ^ 



The studies of Mr. Dugdale among State-prison 

 convicts in New York State reveal some start- 

 ling facts. They show the part played, both by 

 heredity and environment, in the production of 

 criminals. Two hundred and thirty-three cases 

 were examined, and the examination so far veri- 

 fied as to be considered reliable. Of this number, 

 23.03 per cent were of neurotic stock. By neu- 

 rotic stock is meant "those who are descended 

 from, related to by blood, or are themselves 

 either idiotic, insane, epileptic, paralytic, or other- 



^ Ribot, Heredity, p. 91. 



