ARTICLES 71 



middle portions of the face — forehead, eyes, and nose. The 

 lower and lateral, or " alimentary," portion is also of service 

 in expressing emotional states ; and on this portion — jaws, 

 mouth, cheeks, and chin — we rely perhaps even more for in- 

 dication of character. 



In the expression of the higher emotions, the most important 

 factors are undoubtedly the eyes and the mouth, or, to be more 

 exact, the muscular integuments surrounding these features, 

 which, in accordance with the three principles enunciated by 

 Darwin, control the size and mould the shape of the ocular 

 and oral orifices. 



An important factor in the aesthetic import of the lower 

 face is the impressive part played by the mouth in the final 

 delivery of the voice. The shape of the jaws, the fitness of 

 the muscles, the fulness of the lips and cheeks, and the contour 

 of the oral orifice, are all valuable features, and all depend on 

 good development of the dental arches. It is when the mouth 

 opens, however, that the aesthetic value of the lower face 

 becomes most striking. The importance of the teeth in this 

 connection is remarkable, and it is during their display that 

 the face is most animated and attracts most attention. 



Concerning the part played by the upper and middle face 

 in character-indication much has been written and sung. Let 

 us consider for a moment how the lower face may be assumed 

 to have acquired its significance as an indicator of character. 



Powerful, well-formed organs of nutrition would suggest a 

 well-developed, powerful, healthy body, and the mental con- 

 templation of such a body involves that of the mens sana in 

 corpore sano. Firmness and strength of character are generally 

 supposed to be indicated by well-developed jaws and powerful 

 mandibular and cheek muscles. Weakness of character and 

 mental feebleness are usually associated in people's minds with 

 poorly developed jaws, flaccid cheeks and lips, drooping and 

 open mouth, and receding chin. That is to say, efficiency of 

 the masticatory apparatus indicates efficiency of the nutritive 

 system generally, and consequently good development of body 

 and mind ; and so leads on to the impression of " character." 



Another direction in which we may seek for the significance 

 of the lower face as a character-indicator is in the phylogeny 

 of the masticatory apparatus. In the earUer history of the 

 race this apparatus was largely used in combat, and the man 

 who made most impression on his fellows in those days must 

 have been to a considerable extent he who possessed the best 

 developed dental armature and the greatest skill in its use. 

 The idea engraved on our racial memory by powerful and 

 well-developed jaws and teeth, therefore, would be one of 

 virility and strength of purpose. The women of those times, 



