The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online

RECORD: Darwin, C. R. n.d. Expression / Tickling. CUL-DAR195.4.59. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 6.2022. 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. The volume CUL-DAR195 contains materials for Darwin's book Expression of the emotions (1872) organised roughly as: DAR195.1 blushing. DAR195.2 astonishment, fear. DAR195.3 indignation, rage, screaming, etc. DAR195.4 laughter, frowning, introduction.

[59]

Expression

Tickling causes laughter when part not usually touched is touched, or part accustomed to [illeg] pressure is touched gently ─ (not buttocks) ─ so that mind is tickled by any unexpected impression, if amusing ─ ie if some surprise comes in ─

(Too rubbishy.─)

(see Gratiolet)

(Man)

A single touch in dog's foot

[Expression, p. 201: "The parts of the body which are most easily tickled are those which are not commonly touched, such as the armpits or between the toes, or parts such as the soles of the feet, which are habitually touched by a broad surface; but the surface on which we sit offers a marked exception to this rule. According to Gratiolet,7 certain nerves are much more sensitive to tickling than others."]

Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)