QUERIES ABOUT EXPRESSION FOR ANTHROPOLOGICAL INQUIRY. 



By Charles Darwin, of Down, Buomley, Kent, England. 



1. Is astonishment expressed by tlie eyes and moutli "being opened wide, and 

 by the eyebrows being raised ? 



2. Does shame excite a bhish when the color of the skin allows it to be visible? 



3. When a man is indignant or defiant does he frown, hold his body and head 

 erect, sqnare his shoulders, and clench his fists ? 



4. When considering deeply on any subject, or trying to understand any puz- 

 zle, does he frown or wrinkle the skin beneath the lower eyelids ? 



5. When in low spirits, are the corners of the mouth depressed, and the inner 

 comer or angle of the eyebrows raised by that muscle which the French call 

 the "grief muscle?" 



6. When in good spirits do the eyes sparkle, with the skin around and under 

 them a little wrinkled, and with the comers of the mouth a little drawn back °? 



7. When a man sneers or snarls at another, is the corner of the upper lip over 

 the canine teeth raised ou the side facing the man whom he addresses ? 



8. Can a dogged or obstinate expression be recognized, which is chiefly shown 

 by the mouth being firmly closed, a lowering T)row, and a slight frown ? 



9. Is contempt expressed by a slight protrusion of the lips and turning up of 

 the nose, with a slight expiration ? 



10. Is disgust shown by the lower lip being turned down, the upper lip slightly 

 raised, with a sudden expiration something like incipient vomiting f 



11. Is extreme fear expressed in the same general manner as with Europeans? 



12. Is laughter ever earned to such an extreme as to bring tears into the eyes? 



13. When a man wishes to show that he cannot prevent something being 

 done, or cannot himself do something, does he shrag his shoulders, turn inwards 

 his elbows, extend outwards his hands, and open the palms ? 



14. Do the children, when sulky, pout, or greatly protmde the lips? 



15. Can guilty, or sly, or jealous expressions be recognized? though I know 

 not how these can be defined. 



16. As a sign to keep silent, is a gentle hiss uttered ? 



17. Is the head nodded vertically in affirmation and shaken laterally in nega- 

 tion? 



Observations on natives who have had little communication with Europeans 

 would be, of course, the most valuable, though those made on any natives would 

 l:>e of much interest. 



General remarks on expression are of comparatively little value. A definite 

 description of the countenance under any emotion or frame of mind would pos- 

 sess much more value. 



An answer to any single one of the foregoing questions would be gratefully 

 accepted. 



Memory is so deceutive on subjects like these that I hope it may not be trusted to. 



