Finger Prints

by Francis Galton

Table XX.

Observed Random Couplets.

B children.	A children.			Totals in B children.
	Arches.	Loops.	Whorls.
Arches	5	12	8	25
Loops	8	18	8	34
Whorls	9	20	13	42
Totals in A children	22	50	29	101

Table XXI.

Calculated Random Couplets.

B children.	A children.			Totals in B children.
	Arches.	Loops.	Whorls.
Arches	5·00	12·50	7·25	25
Loops	6·80	17·00	9·86	34
Whorls	8·40	21·00	12·18	42
Totals in A children	22	50	29	101

The question, then, was how far calculations from the above data would correspond with the contents of Table XX. The answer is that it does so admirably. Multiply each of the italicised A totals into each of the italicised B totals, and after dividing each result by 101, enter it in the square at which the column that has the A total at its base, is intersected by the row that has the B total at its side. We thus obtain Table XXI.

We will now discuss in order the following relationships: the Fraternal, first in the ordinary sense, and then in the special case of twins of the same set; Filial, in the special case in which both parents have the same particular pattern on the same finger; lastly, the relative influence of the father and mother in transmitting their patterns.

Fraternal relationship.—In 105 fraternities the observed figures were as in Table XXII.:—

Table XXII.