74 Anthropological Investigations. 



As to the abilities at learning of the criminal or vicious children^ 

 10 out of 77, or 13 per cent., were found with inferior abilities; in 

 2 cases the children were extraordinarily bright; and in 65 cases, 

 or 85 per cent, of the total, the abilities were equal to the average 

 ability of children outside the institution. 



I may mention in this connection that I have considerable con- 

 fidence in the data as to the ability of the children, for many of the 

 teachers in the institution have had a long experience in teaching in 

 the public schools. 



It may be interesting to remark that out of the 10 children with 

 inferior abilities of learning, 6 were committed for larger trans- 

 gressions (3 pilfering, 1 assault, 1 petit larceny, 1 burglary); the 

 remaining 4 were ungovernable. 



Taking all the above data on this class of children into considera- 

 tion, I think that the criminal and vicious subjects show very favor- 

 ably, and with the proper treatment give great hopes as to their 

 future. What seems to me of the greatest importance in connection 

 with these children is that their sojourn in the asylum should be 

 sufficiently prolonged so that the good new habits may become a 

 part of the nature of these children. With such treatment I think 

 this class would turn out exceedingly few inveterate criminals. 



