PALAEOLITHIC DEXTEEITY. 121 



mau. The elements which tend (.o complicate the euquiry are very variovis. The left- 

 handed man is nearly always ambidextrous, though with an instinctive preference for 

 the left hand, in any operation requiring either special dexterity or unusual force. Hence 

 his right hand, though less in use than that of the right-handed man, is in no such condi- 

 tion of habitual inertia as the other s left hand. Again, a large number give the prefer- 

 ence to the right hand from a mere compliance with the practise of the majority ; but 

 with no special innate impulse to the use of one hand rather than the other. But besides 

 these, there is a considerable minority in whom certain indications suffice to show that 

 the bias, though no strong and over-ruling impulse, is in favoiir of the left hand. I have, 

 accordingly, had a series of tentative observations made for me in the Physical Laboratory 

 of University College, under the superintendence of Mr. W. J. Loudon, Demonstrator of 

 Physics. Tlie students of the college willingly submitted themselves to the requisite 

 tests ; and the series of experiments were carried out by Mr. Loudon with the utmost 

 care. No idea was allowed to transpire calculated to suggest anticipated results. A 

 highly characteristic Canadian test of any latent tendency to right or left-handedness 

 was emi^loyed. In the usi^ of the axe, so familiar to nearly every Canadian, alike in 

 summer camping out, and in the preparation of winter fuel, the instinctive preference for 

 one or other hand is shown in always keeping the surer hand nearest the axe-blade. This 

 test was the one appealed to in classifying those who submitted to the following experi- 

 ments. The trial was made with water very nearly 30° centigrade. The results arrived 

 at are shewn here, the persons experimented on being divided into three classes : (1.) 

 Eight-handed, or those who habitually use the right hand, and who in handling an axe, 

 place the right hand above the left, nearest the axe-head. (2.) Ordinarily using the right 

 hand ; but placing the left hand above the right in the use of the axe. These appear to 

 be generally ambidextrous. (3.) Those who are generally said to be left-handed, but 

 employ the pen in the right hand, and also use that hand in many other operations. 

 This class includes very varying degrees of bias ; and though loosely characterized as left- 

 handed, from some greater or less tendency to use that hand, the majority of them were 

 found to place the right hand above the left in the use of the axe. One hundred and 

 sixty-four, in all, were subjected to the test, with the following results : Of ninety right- 

 handed persons, thirty-five found the right hand the most sensitive, thirty-three the left 

 hand, and twenty-two failed to discern an appreciable difference. Of fifty-six persons of 

 the second class, right-handed, but using the left as the guiding hand with the axe, 

 seventeen found the right hand the most sensitive, and fifteen the left, while twenty-four 

 felt no difference. Of eighteen of the third class, six found the right hand the most sensi- 

 tive, seven the left hand, and five could detect no difference. Another case was that of 

 a lady, decidedly left-handed, who writes, sews, and apparently does nearly everything 

 with her left hand. She tried at three temperatures, viz., 5°, 30°, and 48° centigrade. In 

 the first case she pronounced the left hand to be vindoubtedly colder, in the second she 

 observed no difference, and in the third, the left hand was undoubtedly warmer. Another 

 lady, also habitually using her needle in the left hand, and otherwise instinctively revert- 

 ing to that hand in all operations requiring delicate or skilful manipulation, repeated the 

 same experiment more than once, at my reqïiest ; but could not detect any difference in 

 the sensitiveness of either hand. The results thus stated were all arrived at with great 

 care. It is manifest that they fail to confirm the statement set forth in the " Physiology 



Sec. II., 18S5. 16. 



