PHYSICAL EXPRESSION. 



is, then, in free and disengaged limbs and parts that 

 we see the best examples of direct expression of 

 mental conditions. Examples of free and disen- 

 gaged parts may now be compared with examples 

 of the engaged stimulated condition of the same 

 parts. 



The hand of a labourer is seen engaged in 

 digging with his spade ; his nerve-muscular energy 

 is expended in holding and driving his spade. It 

 would, under such circumstances, require a very 

 strong nerve-current sent to those muscles to alter 

 this forcible stimulus. Hence, the hand engaged in 

 digging is not very impressionable and expressive 

 of the finer motor actions of the nerve-mechanism. 

 When the man puts aside his spade, and talks, 

 especially if at rest, his hand gesticulates and ex- 

 presses his emotions. 



The head is a part or member of the body usually 

 disengaged, and easily moved by slight stimuli; 

 hence movements and postures of the head are 

 usually highly expressive. The head may, how- 

 ever, be not free to move under a slight stimulus, 

 as when a costermonger or fisher-woman carries 

 a basket on the head. 



The eyes move freely in their orbits, and their 

 movements give much expression. The eyes may, 

 however, be strongly attracted to an object, as a 

 light (this is probably a reflex action). When the 

 eyes are thus fixed, they are not easily moved by 

 slight stimuli, and cannot be said to be free and 

 disengaged. 



The face, again, is a region in which the muscles 



