RECORD: Darwin, C. R. n.d. Abstract of Gould, Sanitary Memoirs of the War of the Rebellion. CUL-DAR87.139. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 3.2022. 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 volumes CUL-DAR 87-90 contain material for Darwin's book Descent of man 2d ed. (1874-1877).
Darwin cited this in Descent 2d ed., p. 33, n29: "It is a singular and unexpected fact that sailors are inferior to landsmen in their mean distance of distinct vision. Dr. B. A. Gould ('Sanitary Memoirs of the War of the Rebellion,' 1869, p. 530), has proved this to be the case; and he accounts for it by the ordinary range of vision in sailors being 'restricted to the length of the vessel and the height of the masts.'"
[139]
Abstract from Gould U.S sanitary memoirs p. 530
Mean distance of vision for different classes of men
|
Number of cases |
distance |
White soldiers |
6564 |
47.77 m |
Sailors |
269 |
36.57 |
Students |
281 |
42.28 |
Full Blacks |
778 |
45.33 |
Mulattoes |
186 |
47.23 |
Indians |
442 |
51.77 |
"The small value here found for sailors is the most striking result -- the more remarkable since common opinion - assigns to sailors a peculiarly ... long range of vision. - - A little reflection diminishes our surprise at this result. The sailor's ordinary distance of vision is necessarily restricted to the length of his vessel & the height of her mast. The cases are rare when- (he has to look far out at sea.)
The proverbial quickness with which a sailor detects a distant object upon the horizon, before a landsman can perceive it, may be due to habit & training more than to Superior eye-sight, and landsmen who have been impressed by personal experience with the keen eye of seafaring men for a distant sail or the first glimpse of land, will generally also bear witness to the distinctness with which they have themselves been able to perceive & recognise the same object, after it has been once pointed out to them."
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 25 September, 2022