Part 11 (1/2)

The patterns which are questionable merely because they seem to have characteristics of two or more types can be cla.s.sified by strict adherence to the definitions in deducing a preference. The following section is devoted to such patterns with an explanation of each.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 297]

[Ill.u.s.tration: 298]

Figure 297 has two loop formations. The one on the left, however, has an appendage ab.u.t.ting upon the shoulders of its recurve at a right angle. The left portion of the impression, therefore, is of the tented arch type. The combination of two different types of patterns would be cla.s.sified in the whorl group (accidental), but this impression has only the one delta. The right portion of the pattern detail contains a true loop which fulfills all the loop requirements, i.e., a sufficient recurve, a delta, and a ridge count across a looping ridge. In the choice existing between a tented arch and a loop, preference is given to the loop cla.s.sification and this impression would be cla.s.sified as a loop.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 299]

[Ill.u.s.tration: 300]

[Ill.u.s.tration: 301]

[Ill.u.s.tration: 302]

Figure 298, at a glance, seems to fulfill the requirements of a whorl (two deltas and a ridge making a complete circuit). The part of the circuit in front of the right delta, however, cannot be construed as a recurving ridge because of the appendage ab.u.t.ting upon it in the line of flow. This pattern, therefore, is a one-count loop.

Figure 299 is a very difficult and unusual pattern. It has characteristics of three types, the whorl, the loop, and the tented arch. It is given the preference of an accidental type of whorl (loop over a tented arch). This pattern should be referenced both as a loop and as a tented arch.

Figure 300 is shown for the purpose of explaining that in the whorl, as this print is, appendages at the top of the recurve will not spoil or affect the recurve. Hence, the impression is a good whorl of the central pocket loop type and needs no reference.

Figure 301 is cla.s.sified as a whorl of the double loop type. There are present two distinct loops and two deltas (the right delta is not present as the impression was not rolled sufficiently). The pattern is unusual because the loops are side by side and flowing in the same direction. The tracing is an inner tracing.

Figure 302 should present no difficulty. It is cla.s.sified as a plain arch for its ridge construction follows the rule of a plain arch, i.e., ”enter one side and flow or tend to flow to the other.”

Figure 303 is a plain arch. The dot at the center is not elongated enough to be considered an upthrust. A dot, even though as thick and heavy as the surrounding ridges, is not considered for any purpose but ridge counting or fixing a delta.

Figure 304 is a pattern somewhat similar to the previous ill.u.s.tration.

As indicated before, dots are considered as ridges only in ridge counting and fixing a delta. This pattern, therefore, must be cla.s.sified as a plain arch, rather than a tented arch with two ending ridges and a delta formation.

Figure 305, although showing an appendage upon each recurve on the left side, is cla.s.sified as a whorl of the central pocket loop type, with two deltas and a recurve in front of each. To spoil the recurve of a whorl the appendage must be connected to the recurve at the point of contact with the line of flow.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 303]

[Ill.u.s.tration: 304]

[Ill.u.s.tration: 305]

[Ill.u.s.tration: 306]

In figure 306, the impression has two equally good loop formations. As it has but one delta, it cannot be cla.s.sified as a whorl of the double loop type nor as a loop since it would be difficult to make a preferential choice between the two looping ridges. It is arbitrarily given the cla.s.sification of a tented arch.

In figure 307, the difficulty lies in locating the delta. The only ridges answering the definition of type lines (ridges running parallel and then diverging to enclose the pattern area) have three ending ridges between them. The type lines, the delta, and the core are located as indicated. The pattern is cla.s.sified as a six-count loop.

Figure 308 is cla.s.sified as a tented arch, although it appears at first glance to be a loop. Closer inspection shows that the looping ridge does not tend to go out the side from which it entered but rather seems to proceed downward ending in an abutment forming a definite angle of 90.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 307]

[Ill.u.s.tration: 308]

[Ill.u.s.tration: 309]