6 



hand may exhibit tenderness with only moderate attachment." 

 It is in the palm, says Desbarrolles, that " the warmest feehngs of 

 affection find their inarticulate 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, tapeiing, or artistic hand. But M. L>esbarrolles 

 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 finger 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." It is 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 



