Harris Hawthorne Wilder 439 



ascertained without the use of a lens by a mere novice in the art, 

 unaccustomed to the treatment of finer details. It may be granted 

 that if the comparison were confined to a single member, cases might 

 arise in which the study of lines and areas alone might lead to con- 

 fusion between two different individuals, but the chance of such a 

 coincidence extending itself to all four of the members is beyond the 

 verge of possibility, especially when it is seen that even in the case 

 of identical twins there are sufScient differences to avoid any excusa- 

 ble mistake. 



(i) Comparison with Other Systems. — The main advantage of the 

 palm and sole system over the one advocated by Galton is that it 

 depends upon larger and more obvious details and thus becomes prac- 

 tical and applicable in cases where the latter could not be used. The 

 ordinary system, based upon recognition of features and facial expres- 

 sion, is confessedly liable to much uncertainty, and the " Eogues-gal- 

 lery" method of photography leaves much to be desired. Perhaps 

 the most scientific system in practical use is that of M, Bertillon, which 

 consists essentially of accurate measurements of the parts of the 

 body, taken, so far as possible, of dimensions unaffected by fluctuations 

 of bodily weight and degree of nutrition; but to subject a man to a 

 thorough " Bertillonage," as the treatment is called, consumes con- 

 siderable time, and requires the aid, both of expensive instruments 

 and of an expert manipulator, advantages obtainable in the larger 

 cities alone; besides which, the same process has to be undergone 

 every time it is desired to compare a subject with a previously taken 

 record. 



Compared with all of the above the system here advocated possesses 

 the following advantages: 



1. The rapidity with which the records can be taken, the making 

 of a set of prints requiring but about five minutes. 



3. The inexpensive character of the necessary outfit, such outfit 

 consisting essentially of a roller, a slate and tube of printer's ink. 



3. The facts that prints may be taken anywhere and that a few 

 minutes' instruction suffices to teach any man of common intelligence 

 the methods of printing, interpreting and comparing the impressions. 



4. The fact that the markings of the palms and soles are permanent 

 and beyond the poAver of change, either voluntarily or involuntarily; 

 ■a condition easily accomplished in general facial appearance, and not 

 wholly guarded against by the Bertillon system. 



5. The definiteness of the records, especially when marked by a 

 conspicuous pattern, such as frequentlv occurs upon the hypothenar 



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