5-26 



Life and Letters of Francis Gallon 



OQMQ 



As regards your problem. I dare not now trust myself to analysis and to criticism of 

 formulae ; but have no doubt from elementary considerations that your results 

 are sound. The upward and downward movement* of P depend equally on 

 those of A and of B. If those of A range less widely than those of B, the latter 

 will on the whole have the predominant influence. If A does not move at all, 

 the movements of P will be wholly due to B. 



Again, the connection between small variability and small Arithmetic Mean 

 value is clear (for symmetrical curves of frequency at least.) on the supposition 

 that negative values are impossible. A quasi-albino race (one witli a small A. M. 

 value) cannot produce individuals who are whiter than white, but if it sometimes 

 produces such as are dark, its curve of frequency must necessarily be humped up 

 against the axis of Y, and its positive tail can hardly be thicker at its root than 



in the figure. In this case 3fQ s is small (though larger than MQJ and — — — , which is 



2 

 a fair measure of the S.D., must be smaller still than MQ t . 



On re-reading, I fear my explanation may be found less lucid than it should be, but you 

 will probably understand what is meant. I have written it under epistolary difficulties of 

 table and light. I have amended it, but not well. 



We are looking forward with keenest interest to a stay of 

 some days in the Lipari Islands, among sulphur, pumice-stone, 

 two active volcanoes (Vulcano and Stromboli) and deported 

 Camorrists and Maffeists. They are allowed much freedom during 

 the day but are confined and locked in at nights. There are no 

 robbers among them, only murderers, one of another, and they 

 are said to be very interesting and communicative. You, with 

 your fluent Italian and Italian sympathies, would make out a 

 good deal from them. We are fortunate in having introductions 

 to the principal among the few honest people who live there, as 

 to the officer now in command and to the agent of the chief 



landowner. It will be a funny experience. I expect to be housed like a pig, and not to be 

 treated as a convict; but even they receive oO centimes from the Government a day, which they 

 supplement by working for wages. The weather is very variable, some sun every day ; glorious 

 sun most days. Now and then gales of wind. 



The post that brought me your letter brought one also from K. Pearson, so I am posted 

 with your Easter plans. I had hoped to be home just before Easter, but expect now to be 

 delayed abroad a few days longer. Kindest remembrances from both of us to you both. 



Very sincerely yours, Francis Galton. 



42, Rutland Gatk, S.W. April 10, 1904. 



My deau Wkldon, I was so very sorry to miss you, and by only five minutes, yesterday. 

 I did not dare to read your letter till this morning, being rather dangerously overworked and 

 fearing disaster. With a lot of correspondence I begin with the least important, to ensure this 

 not being overlooked, and end with the important. So your letter came the very last. 



As regards albinos of all kinds, there is evidently an unusually close correlation between 

 the soma and the germ (generative cell); total absence of colour in the one going with total 

 absence in the other. When albinism is confined to the eye, the correlation is less close, but 

 still close-ish. Perhaps the day will come when the mean correlation between soma and germ 

 (generative cell), in respect to certain exceptional qualities, will be studied. What a puzzle it 

 all is! The mice will be mines of facts. Those three beautiful volumes by Amari! I am 

 ashamed to accept so valuable a present, but will do so, and read them through, and be more 

 and more saturated with gratitude. I have a strong leaning towards Saracens. 



Eva Biggs will have told you our news. We both go into Warwickshire to-morrow for three 

 or four days, but to different places. I to my dear old sisters, 96 and 92 respectively* (5, Bertie 

 Terrace, Leamington) ; she to her sister, Mrs Bree. The cold is as much as I can bear, but I am 

 getting acclimatised again to my native country. It would amuse you to see F. Howard 



* Bessy and Emma Galton. 



