RECORD: Darwin, C. R. & Francis Galton. [1879]. questionnaire "on the faculty of visualising", with responses of Darwin Charles Robert filled in (copy). CUL-DAR144.482. (John van Wyhe ed., 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
REVISION HISTORY: Prepared and edited by John van Wyhe 2.2026. RN1
NOTE: See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here. Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin.
Transcribed in Galton, Francis. 1880. Statistics of mental imagery. Mind 5: 301-318 PDF; Life and letters vol. 3 and partly in Pearson ed. The life, letters and labours of Francis Galton. vol. 2. See Darwin to Francis Galton 14 November [1879].
482
QUESTIONS ON THE FACULTY OF VISUALISING.
For explanations, see the other side of this paper.
The replies will be used for statistical purposes only, and should be addressed to—
FRANCIS GALTON, 42, RUTLAND GATE, LONDON.
Questions. |
|
Replies. |
1. Illumination |
|
Moderate, but my solitary breakfast was early & morning dark. |
2. Definition |
|
Some objects quite defined, a slice of cold beef, some grapes & a pear the state of my plate when I had finished & a few other objects are as distinct as if I had photos before me |
3. Completeness |
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very moderately so. |
4. Colouring |
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The objects above-named perfectly coloured |
5. Extent of field of view |
|
Rather small |
Different kinds of Imagery. |
||
6. Printed pages |
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I cannot remember a single sentence, but I remember the place of the sentence & the kind of type |
7. Furniture |
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I have never attended to it |
8. Persons |
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I remember the faces of persons formerly well-known vividly, & can make them do any thing I like. |
9. Scenery |
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Remembrance vivid & distinct & gives me pleasure. |
10. Geography |
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No |
11. Military movements |
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No |
12. Mechanism |
|
Never tried |
13. Geometry |
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I do not think I have any power of the kind |
14. Numerals |
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When I think of any number, printed figures rise before my mind; I can't remember for an hour 4 consecutive figures |
15. Card-playing |
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Have not played for many years, but I am sure should not remember |
16. Chess |
|
Never played |
Over.
Xd
482v
Galton 3
QUESTIONS ON THE FACULTY OF VISUALISING.
Questions. |
|
Replies. |
Other Senses. |
||
17. Tones of voices |
|
recollection indistinct, not comparable with vision |
18. Music |
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extremely hazy— |
19. Smells |
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No power of vivid recollection, yet sometimes call up associated ideas |
20. Tastes |
|
No vivid power of recalling— |
Signature of Sender and |
} |
Charles Darwin |
Address |
Down Beckenham |
|
|
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(Born Feb. 12th 1809) |
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 12 February, 2026