42 SCIENCE OF THE HAND. 



short connected links, like a chain, it proves ill health in early life; if 

 these appear at the end, it denotes disease towards the latter part of 

 one's life. 



Line Of the Head. This line may start from a point near 

 the base of the forefinger, or it may start at the same point where the 

 line of life starts, or it may rise in the line of life and extend down 

 across the hand. If the first, and yet touching the line of life, it de- 

 notes mental vigor, daring and ambition, especially if long. If it 

 rises where the line of life starts, and very close to it, it indicates a 

 cautious, sensitive, nervous temperament. If it starts within the line 

 of life and crosses it, this indicates a fretful, worrying, inconstant 

 temperament and less .mental power. A double line, which is very 

 rarely found, is a sure sign of brain power. It is found in the hand 

 of such men as Gladstone, Disraeli and Newton. If the line is broken 

 in two on both hands, it indicates some serious accident or derange- 

 ment of the mind. 



The normal position of this line is directly down across the cen- 

 ter of the palm. If it shows an abnormal curve toward the wrist it is 

 a certain sign of abnormal mental condition. Such persons are apt 

 to go insane. If this is noticeable in a child's hand, it may grow to 

 maturity without any unnatural symptoms, but whenever some severe 

 mental shock comes, such a person is sure to become mentally unbal- 

 anced. The hand of a natural born idiot is remarkable for the down- 

 ward curve of this line and for the number of little links or " islands " 

 in it. 



Line Of the Heart This line begins either in the thick 

 prominence or " mount " at the base of the forefinger, or between the 

 first and second finger, or at the base of the second finger, and ex- 

 tends in nearly a straight line across the hand. This line indicates the 

 strength or weakness of the affections. If it begins with a forked line 

 in the mount below the forefinger, it is a sure sign of an honest, 

 strong, affectionate nature. If, however, this line rises in the promi- 

 nence at base of second finger or divides with a fork here and the 

 other towards the first finger, it proves that the person is jealous, or 

 sensual and fickle. It has been observed that in persons who have 

 contempt for the opposite sex this line is always broad and looks a 

 little like a chain, while in those having deep and permanent but sub- 

 dued passion, this line generally rises between the first and second 

 finger, is narrow, and has no very marked color. 



Other Lines. Besides these principal lines there are a number 

 of lesser lines, each having its special meaning. Thus there is the 

 " line of fate " extending down the center of the hand upright. When 

 this line rises in the center of the wrist and extends up to the base of 

 the second finger, it is considered as an indication of a successful 

 career. There is also the " line of health " which extends downward 

 from near the base of the little finger, but is usually faint and some- 

 times hard to find. If it is distinct and joins the line of life the point 

 of junction indicates the time of death from natural causes. It is a 



