[Enclosure]

Queries about Expression

(1) Is astonishment expressed by the eyes & mouth being opened wide, & by the eyebrows being raised?

(2) Does Shame exite a blush when the colour of the skin allows it to be visible? Especially how far down the body does blush extend?

(3) When a man is indignant or defiant does he frown, hold his body & head errect, square his shoulders & clench his fists?

(4) When considering deeply on any subject or trying to understand any puzzle, does he frown, or wrinkle the skin beneath the lower eyelids?

(5) When in low spirits are the corners of the mouth depressed & the inner corner or angle of the eyebrows raised & contracted by that muscle which the french call the grief muscle?

(6) When in good spirits do the eyes sparkle, with the skin round & under them a little wrinkled & with the mouth a little drawn back in the corners?

(7) When a man sneers or snarls at another, is the corner of the upper lip over the canine teeth raised on the side facing the man whom he addresses?

(8) Can a dogged or obstinate expression be recognised, which is chiefly shown by the mouth being firmly closed, a lowering brow & a slight frown?

(9) Is contempt expressed by a slight protrusion of the lips & turning up of the nose with a slight expiration?

(10) Is disgust shown by the lower lip being turned down, the upper lip slightly raised, with a sudden expiration something like incipient vomiting?

(11) Is extreme fear expressed in the same general manner as with Europeans?

(12) Is laughter ever carried to such an extreme as to bring tears into the eyes?

(13) When a man wishes to show that he cannot prevent something being done or cannot himself do something, does he shrug his shoulders, turn inwards his elbows, extend outwards his hands & open the palms?

(14) Do the children when sulky pout or greatly protrude the lips?

(15) Can guilty, or sly, or jealous expressions be recognised—though I know not how these can be defined?

(16) As a sign to keep silent is a gentle hiss uttered?

(17) Is the head nodded vertically in affirmation, & shaken laterally in negation

Observations on natives who have had little communication with Europeans would be of course the most valuable, though those made on any natives would be of much interest to me.

General remarks on expression are of comparatively little value.

A definite description of the countence under any emotion or frame of mind would possess much more value; & an answer within 6 or 8 months or even a year to any single one of the foregoing questions would be gratefully accepted.

Charles Darwin

Down, Bromley, Kent | 1867

P. S. Memory is so deceptive in subjects like these that I hope it may not be trusted to.