172 



Life and Letters of Francis Galton 



columns of figures on the left side of Fig. 27. There, the sequence of the numerals that express 

 the patterns on the digits is divided into two groups of three numerals and two groups of two 

 numerals, as 355, 455, 55, 35. The first group 355 refers to the first, second and third fingers of 

 the left hand*; the second group 455 to the first, second, and. third fingers of the right hand ; the 



Fig. 27. 



third group 55 to the thumb and fourth finger of the left hand ; the fourth group 35 to the thumb 

 and fourth finger of the right hand. The index is arranged in the numerical sequence of these sets 

 of numbers as shown in Fig. 27 1." (pp. 542-3.) 



It will be seen from Fig. 27 that Galton drew a rough symbol denoting 

 the nature of his subclasses, the a to w of Fig. 26 in his index. The symbols 

 with dots attached mark cases in which there may be doubt as to classifica- 

 tion. Thus the primaries / and g may have been classed by another as 

 loops. If there has been hesitation about them, after seeking them as loops, a 

 second reference to the index should be made, treating them as primaries. 

 When a whorl is "crozier" shaped, as j, k, I, m, it lies in a loop, and may 

 when it approaches the plain eyes t, u give rise to hesitation and a dot is 

 then added, as at I, m. Galton says that he has not found much difficulty 

 with transitional cases, and considers it could be well surmounted if a standard 

 collection of doubtful forms were established to ensure that different persons 

 would abide by a common rule. 



Galton (pp. 545-6) gives an index based on the ten finger-prints of 100 

 persons. In this index there are nine cases of duplicated numbers and three 



* Galton's first finger = forefinger, second finger = middle finger, third finger = ring finger, 

 and fourth finger = little finger. Galton's purpose is clear, but there are distinct and greater 

 advantages in the "natural" order. 



t The last column in Galton's figure, our Fig. 27, requires explanation ; it is the page 

 reference to his records where the actual finger-prints will be found. The word "Index" at the 

 head of the column is, perhaps, not explanatory enough. 



