galton.org 81
Number-Forms
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These Forms have for the most part certain characteristics in common.
They are stated in all cases to have been in existence, so far as the earlier
numbers in the Form are concerned, as long back as the memory extends;
they come into view quite independently of the will, and their shape and
position, at all events in the mental field of view, is nearly invariable.
They have other points in common to which I shall shortly draw attention,
but first I will endeavour to remove all doubt as to the authenticity and
trustworthiness of these statements.
I see no “Form” myself, and first ascertained that such a thing existed
through a letter from Mr. G. Bidder, Q.C., in which he described his own
case as a very curious peculiarity. I was at the time making inquiries about
the strength of the visualising faculty in different persons, and among the
numerous replies that reached me I soon collected ten or twelve other
cases in which the writers spoke of their seeing numerals in definite
forms. Though the information came from independent sources, the
expressions used were so closely alike that they strongly corroborated one
another. Of course I eagerly followed up the inquiry, and when I had
collected enough material to justify publication, I wrote an account which
appeared in Nature on 15th January 1880, with several illustrations. This
has led to a wide correspondence and to a much-increased store of
information, which enables me to arrive at the following conclusions. The
answers I received whenever I have pushed my questions, have been
straightforward and precise. I have not unfrequently procured a second
sketch of the Form even after more than two years interval, and found it to
agree closely with the first one. I have also questioned many of my own
friends in general terms as to whether they visualise numbers in any
particular way. The large majority are unable to do so. But every now and
then I meet with persons who possess the faculty, and I have become
familiar with the quick look of intelligence with which they receive my
question. It is as though some chord had been struck which had not been
struck before, and the verbal answers they give me are precisely of the
same type as those written ones of which I have now so many. I cannot
doubt of the authenticity of independent statements
