Harris Hawthorne Wilder 



451 



be as follows, making use of descriptive sufSxes only in the doubtful 

 eases of transition patterns : 



TABLE V. 



Aside from the reversal in the right indices, differences occur in 

 the left indices and the right thumbs. The first of these show in the 

 formula as w and r^' respectively, that is, a whorl and a radial loop 

 forming a transition form towards the whorl type. Galton's distinction 

 between a whorl and a loop rests upon the number of deltas (triradii) 

 present, being two in a whorl and one in a loop. When stated, this dis- 

 tinction seems obvious enough, but since there are all stages in the 

 gradual extinction of a delta (triradius) [see paper by Miss Whipple] 

 it is often impossible to know whether one that is disappearing should 

 be counted or not. Thus, in the case in point, the left index of x 

 certainly possesses two good deltas and is therefore a whorl, but are we 

 to consider that in the corresponding pattern of y one of the deltas (the 

 right in the print) has disappeared or not ? It is well' indicated by the 

 convergence of the ridges proceeding from the core, and is certainly on 

 the way to extinction, but there is at least room for a difference of 

 opinion concerning its exact status in its present condition. If it is 

 considered as still there, the pattern is a whorl and the two correspond ; 

 if absent, the pattern is a loop, and the two differ. Galton himself, usu- 

 ally so clear, is rather unsatisfactory on this point, and refers the reader 

 to four enlarged prints, two of which he calls loops and two whorls, 

 although their differences are extremely slight, and seem almost arbi- 

 trary.* 



The pattern of the left ring finger of x presents the same problem and 

 I have doubtfully referred it to an ulnar loop after considerable hesita- 

 tion. At all events, it is sufficiently similar to the corresponding pattern 

 of y to be considered a duplicate, and it would be manifestly misleading 

 to place it in the formula as a w, and thus introduce what would count 

 as a difference. 



^ Finger-print Directories, 1895, p. 109, and Plate 8, bottom line. 



