enerally exists between a boarder on one side and a day-pupil on the
other. Notwithstanding, however, its apparently non-sexual nature, all the
sexual manifestations of college youth circle around it, and in its
varying aspects of differing intensity all the gradations of sexual
sentiment may be expressed.

Obici and Marchesini carried on their investigation chiefly among the
pupils of Normal schools, the age of the girls being between 12 and 19 or
20. There are both boarders and day-pupils at these colleges; the boarders
are most inflammable, but it is the day-pupils who furnish the sparks.

Obici and Marchesini received much assistance in their studies from former
pupils who are now themselves teachers. One of these, a day-pupil who had
never herself been either the object or the agent in one of these
passions, but had had ample opportunity of making personal observations,
writes as follows: "The 'flame' proceeds exactly like a love-relationship;
it often happens that one of the girls shows man-like characteristics,
either in physical type or in energy and decision of character; the other
lets herself be loved, acting with all the obstinacy--and one might almost
say the shyness--of a girl with her lover. The beginning of these
relationships is quite different from the usual beginnings of friendship.
It is not by being always together, talking and studying together, that
two become 'flames'; no, generally they do not even know each other; one
sees the other on the stairs, in the garden, in the corridors, and the
emotion that arises is nearly always called forth by beauty and physical
grace. Then the one who is first struck begins a regular courtship:
frequent walks in the garden when the other is likely to be at the window
of her class-room, pauses on the stairs to see her pass; in short, a mute
adoration made up of glances and sighs. Later come presents of beautiful
flowers, and little messages conveyed by complacent companions. Finally,
if the 'flame' shows signs of appreciating all these proofs of affection,
comes the letter of declaration. Letters of declaration are long and
ardent, to such a degree that they equal or surpass real
love-declarations. The courted one nearly always accepts, sometimes with
enthusiasm, oftenest with many objections and doubts as to the affection
declared. It is only after many entreaties that she yields and the
relationship begins."

Another collaborator who has herself always aroused