LIFE AND DEATH. 351 



token longer life than those that are soft and delicate. 

 Curled hairs betoken the same thing, if they be hard 

 withal ; but the contrary, if they be soft and shining ; the 

 like if the curling be rather thick in large bunches. 



35. Early or late baldness is an indifferent thing, seeing 

 many which have been bald betimes have lived long. Also 

 early gray hairs (howsoever they may seem forerunners of 

 old age approaching), are no sure signs, for many that have 

 grown gray betimes, have lived to great years ; nay, hasty 

 gray hairs, without baldness, is a token of long life ; con- 

 trarily, if they be accompanied with baldness. 



36. Hairiness of the upper parts is a sign of short life, and 

 they that have extraordinary much hair on their breasts, 

 live not long ; but hairiness of the lower parts, as of the 

 thighs and legs, is a sign of long life. 



37. Tallness of stature (if it be not immoderate), with 

 convenient making, and not too slender, especially if the 

 body be active withal, is a sign of long life. Also on the 

 contrary, men of low stature live long, if they be not too 

 active and stirring. 



38. In the proportion of the body, they which are short 

 to the waists, with long legs, are longer lived than they 

 which are long to the waists, and have short legs. Also 

 they which are large in the nether parts, and straight in the 

 upper (the making of their body rising, as it were, into a 

 sharp figure), are longer lived than they that have broad 

 shoulders, and are slender downwards. 



39. Leanness, where the affections are settled, calm, and 

 peaceable ; also a more fat habit of body, joined with choler, 

 and a disposition stirring and peremptory, signify long life ; 

 but corpulency in youth foreshows short life ; in age it is a 

 thing more indifferent. 



40. To be long and slow in growing, is a sign of long 

 life ; if to a greater stature, the greater sign ; if to a lesser 

 stature, yet a sign; though, contrarily, to grow quickly to 

 a great stature, is an evil sign ; if to a small stature, the less 

 evil. 



41. Firm flesh, a rawbone body, and veins lying higher 

 than the flesh, betoken long life ; the contrary to these, 

 short life. 



42. A head somewhat lesser than to the proportion of the 

 body, a moderate neck, not long, nor slender, nor flat, nor 

 too short ; wide nostrils, whatsoever the form of the nose 

 be ; a large mouth, and ear gristly, not fleshy ; teeth strong 

 and contiguous, small or thin set, foretoken long life ; and 



