6 
hand may exhibit tenderness with only moderate attachment.” 
It is in the palm, says Desbarrolles, that ‘‘ the warmest feelings of 
affection find their imarticulate expression.” 
If there are diversities of palms, still more are there differences of 
fingers. Some are smooth, others enlarged at the joints or knotted, 
some have spread out or spatulous ends, some square, others pointed ; 
some are round in section, others square. That these differences of 
structure are indicative of varieties of race, culture and temperament 
cannot, I think, be questioned ; that they mean all their French ex- 
ponents would have us believe is a very different matter! For in- 
stance I believe the large firm hand with square or spatulous finger 
tips, and more or less knotted joints, to be unquestionably the type 
of the practical, mechanical, and industrial hand. While the soft, 
tapering, pointed, smooth fingers are not less indicative of the 
poetical, artistic, and cultivated hand. England, Scotland, 
Germany, Norway, and Sweden, are specimens of the square 
practical hand. Italy, France, and Spain are examples of the 
pointed, smooth, tapering, or artistic hand. But M. Lesbarrolles 
tells us these differences mean much more. ‘Should the first 
joint (or phalange) of the first finger be pointed, it indicates a 
tendency to religious contemplation and spiritualism ; if square, to 
the practical in life and the formal in religion; if spatulous, a 
perturbed unquiet spirit. The second phalange is the index of 
ambition; third of pride and desire of command.” The second 
finger is supposed to be more indicative than any other of the 
character of its possessor.” Should it be pointed (as it seldom 
is) it indicates vanity, and if the thumb be also short, frivolity. If 
square, it means a mind practical and useful. If spatulous, a 
tendency to despondency and gloomy views of life.” The third 
finger (ring) is the index of art; if pomted, it is indicative of in- 
tuition, or sometimes garrulity ; if square of defined art and truth- 
fulness of expression. If spatulous it denotes action and dramatic 
tastes.” The little fmger is the index of abstract science and 
numbers. If the first joint is long and oval the conceptions will be 
intuitive and the love of science strong. If pointed there will be 
scientific doubts. If square, it shows a love of research and practical 
discovery. When spatulous it indicates mechanical perfection or 
stirring eloquence.” Itis said a peculiar movement may be observed 
in those who exercise much artifice and address; the little finger is 
is then separated entirely from its neighbours, and distinctly elevated. 
Smooth fingers, generally speaking, indicate inspiration, passion, 
while knotty fingers show habits of order, arrangement, and intui- 
tion; induction. When the first joints are distinctly pronounced, 
Desbarrolles says it is indicative of independence of thought, 
philosophical doubt, self-confidence, and aptitude for the exact 
