CONSANGUINEOUS MARRIAGES 261 



inter-racial groups is followed by any reduction of natural 

 fecundity. 



What can we say of the effects of race-mixture on mental 

 development? We have no grounds for alleging that the products 

 of mingling the various ethnic stocks of Europe are in any way 

 inferior to their component elements. Certainly it would be easy 

 to compile a very extensive list of most eminent men of mixed 

 ethnic origin. There is no adequate evidence for concluding that 

 hybrids even of distinct races are mentally less developed than 

 the average of the inferior race. In general, experience seems to 

 show that they possess a degree of intelhgence more or less inter- 

 mediate between that of the races from which they are derived. 

 Where there has been much intermingling of races of different 

 cultural levels the mixed breeds tend to occupy a relatively 

 advanced position. 



The best opportunities for the study of mentality of a mixed 

 race are afforded by the mulattoes of the United States. Most 

 students of the subject agree that the mulatto is considerably 

 superior in intellect to the full-blooded negro, however they may 

 explain this superiority. From a study of the achievements of 

 mulattoes and negroes by E. B. Renter I quote the following: 



In a recently published compilation of one hundred and thirty-nine 

 of the supposedly best-known American Negroes there are not more 

 than four men of pure Negro blood, and one of these, at least, owes his 

 prominence to the fact of his black skin and African features rather 

 than to any demonstrated native superiority. Of the twelve Negroes 

 on whom the degree of doctor of philosophy has been conferred by 

 reputable American Universities, eleven at least were men of mixed 

 blood. Among the professional classes of the race the mulattoes out- 

 class the black Negroes perhaps ten to one, and the ratio is yet higher 

 if only men of real attainments be considered. In medicine the ratio 

 is probably fifteen to one, in literature the ratio is somewhat higher, 

 on the stage it is probably thirteen to one, in music the ratio is at 

 least twelve to one. In art no American Negro of full blood has so far 

 found a place among the successful. . . . 



The successful business men of the race are in nearly all cases men 



