138 HARRIS HAWTHORNE WILDER. 



marked, while being followed, by a colored pencil, of red, or some 

 other conspicuous color, or by ink, the palm will appear like 

 those shown in Figs, i and 2, except that the result will be 

 naturally more or less unlike either model. 



As the triradii of origin never vary much in position, the general 

 course of the main lines may be given by determining with some 

 precision their termini, that is, the points at which they issue 

 from the margin of the friction-skin area. This is easily accom- 

 plished by designating the several regions and points along the 

 margin by an arbitrary system of numbers, as here shown, using 

 the numbers I to 13. In this the more definite points, like 

 triradii or pattern-cores, are designated by even numbers, and 

 the intervals between these by odd. Thus 2 indicates the carpal 

 .triradius, lying on the proximal margin at the middle of the wrist. 

 When not actually present, the location of this point is equally 

 well determined by a parting of the lines towards the radial and 

 ulnar sides. 4 indicates the hypothenar pattern, a conspicuous 

 feature present in about 20 per cent, of white hands; when the 

 pattern is wanting, this number is not used. The numbers 

 6, 8, 10, and 12 indicate the four digital triradii, but in the reverse 

 order, beginning with triradius D. The odd numbers are not so 

 precise, and designate the entire lengths of margin between the 

 points just mentioned. I means any termination upon the 

 radial side (thumb-side) of the carpal triradius; 3 begins at this 

 latter point and runs up along the ulnar side as far as the hypo- 

 thenar pattern, and 5 lies between this pattern and triradius D 

 at the base of the little finger. When an hypothenar pattern is 

 not indicated the distinction between 3 and 5 is somew T hat 

 uncertain, but in general, if the entire outer margin of the palm 

 between the lower outer corner (proximal ulnar) and triradius D 

 be divided into thirds, the lower, or proximal third is 3, while 

 the distal two thirds are 5. The boundary between these two 

 numbers thus corresponds to the point of location of 4 (hypothe- 

 nar pattern) when present. The numbers 7, 9, n and 13 desig- 

 nate the spaces between the fingers, 7 being that between the 

 little- and ring-fingers, and so on. 



Thus, given these arbitrary values' for the parts of the margin, 

 it will be seen that in Fig. I, line D crosses the margin at 9, C 

 at 7, and B very high up along 5. Line A becomes involved in 



