HOW DO YOU CLASP YOUR HANDS? 



If the hands be clasped naturally, with fingers alternating as shown in the above 

 illustration, most people will put the same thumb — either that of the right 

 or that of the left hand — uppermost every time. 



Frank E. Lutz showed {American Naturalist, xlii) that the position 

 assumed depends largely on heredity. When both parents put the right 

 thumb uppermost, about three-fourths of the children were found to do 

 the same. When both parents put the left thumb uppermost, about three- 

 fifths of the children did the same. No definite ratios could be found from 

 the various kinds of matings. 



Apparently the manner of clasping the hands has no connection with 

 one's right-handedness or left-handedness. It can hardly be due to imita- 

 tion, for the trait is such a slight one that most people have not noticed it 

 before their attention is called to it. Furthermore, babies are found almost 

 always to clasp the hands in the same way every time. 



The trait is a good illustration of the almost incredible minuteness 

 with which heredity enters into a man's makeup. Photograph by John 

 Howard Paine. (Fig. 3.) 



