6 PROCKEDIMiS OF THE ANATOMICAL AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL 



The percentage of arches varies from 3'2 to 18"4 ; of loops from 

 :>!' to 72, and whorls from 18'4 to 44'4. 



For the same three fingers Gallon's percentages are : 



Of arches - - - from 3 to 17 



loops .. 53 * 78 



whorls - - 15 to 44 



The similarity in results speaks for itself. The question arises 

 are the arch, loop, whorl patterns distributed in the same way upon the 

 corresponding digits of the two hands. By rearranging Table II. the 

 answer to this question is demonstrated. 



TABLE III. 



The similarity of distribution with which the patterns occur on the 

 same digits of opposite hands is here seen to be very marked, except in 

 one instance, i.e., in the case of the whorls on the thumbs. They are 

 only about three-fourths as frequent on the left thumb as they are 

 upon the right. 



Galton also found this peculiarity, and noted a like distribution of 

 the whorls on the ring finger. The consistency with which such a 

 peculiar difference occurs must therefore be accepted as a fact and 

 not as a statistical accident. 



Another noticeable peculiarity is the much greater frequency of 

 iirclics on the forefinger than on the thumb and middle finger. Here 

 the percentage is 18 on the forefingers. Galton noting the same pecu- 

 liarity gets 17 per cent. 



The maximum of loops is found upon the middle finger, where 



