164 



PHYSICAL EXPRESSION. 



weakness, and this extension of the large joint 

 gives to the posture the indication of excitement in 

 the nerve-mechanism. The small joints are all 

 flexed, as seen in the hand of a man in sleep or 

 resting, and this gives the posture the indication of 

 strength or activity with rest. 



Fig. 26. The Energetic Hand. 



Anatomical analysis shows the " energetic hand 

 to be the antithesis of the " nervous hand." 



Nervous Hand. 

 "Wrist .......... Flexed 



Metacarpo-phalangeals . . . 

 First and second internodes . 

 Thumb, metacarpo-phalangeal 



internode 

 Phalanges, relative position . 



Extended 



Flexed 



Extended 



Energetic Hand. 

 Extended 

 Flexed 



. Slightly abducted Adducted 



The physiological expressions of the two postures 

 are also opposites. 



This suggests another principle of use in explain- 

 ing the meaning of certain postures. The principle 

 of antithesis * may be enunciated as follows : " In 



* Charles Darwin uses the principle of antithesis to explain 

 many modes of expression. See " Expression of the Emotions," 

 p. 28. 



