98 galton.org
98
Inquiries into Human Faculty
appear in their corresponding positions. You will see that 21 is curiously placed, probably
to get a fresh start for the next 10. The loops gradually diminish in size as the numbers
rise, and it seems rather curious that the numbers from 100 to 120 resemble in form those
from I to 20. Beyond 144 the arrangement is less marked, and beyond 200 they entirely
vanish, although there is some hazy recollection of a futile attempt to learn the
multiplication table up to 20 times 20.”
“Neither my mother nor my sister is conscious of any mental arrangement of numerals.
I have not found any idea of this kind among any of my colleagues to whom I have spoken
on the subject, and several of them have ridiculed the notion, and possibly think me a
lunatic for having any such feeling. I was showing the scheme to G., shortly after your first
article appeared, on the piece of paper I enclose, and he changed the diagram to a sea-
serpent [most amusingly and grotesquely drawn.—F. G.], with the remark, ‘If you were a
rich man, and I knew I was mentioned in your will, I should destroy that piece of paper, in
case it should be brought forward as an evidence of insanity.’ I mention this in connection
with a paragraph in your article.”
Fig. 40 is, I think, the most complicated form I possess. It was
communicated to me by Mr. Woodd Smith as that of Miss L. K., a lady
who was governess in a family, whom he had closely questioned both
with inquiries of his own and by submitting others subsequently sent by
myself. It is impossible to convey its full meaning briefly, and I am not
sure that I understand much of the principle of it myself. A shows part
only (I have not room for more) of the series 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, II, 13, 14, 17,
18, 19, each as two sides of a square,—that is, larger or smaller according
to the magnitude of the number; 1 does not appear anywhere. C similarly
shows part of the series (all divisible by 3) of 6, 9, 15, 21, 27, 30, 33, 39,
60, 63, 66, 69, 90, 93, 96. B shows the way in which most numbers
divisible by 4 appear. D shows the form of the numbers 17, 18, 19, 21, 22,
23, 25, 26, 27, 29, 41, 42—49, 81—83, 85—87, 89, 101-103, 105—107,
and 109. E shows that of 31, 33—35, 37—39. The other numbers are not
clear, viz. 50, 51, 53—55, 57—59. Beyond 100 the arrangement becomes
hazy, except that the hundreds and thousands go on again in complete,
consecutive, and proportional squares indefinitely. The groups of figures
are not seen together, but one or other starts up as
