The Human Nose 



593 



by a central thin division, in part of bone and in part 

 only gristle. If it were not for the support thus given, the 

 lower two-thirds of the nose would sink down level with 

 the face, for the little nasal bones give framework only of 

 the bridge. This dividing and supporting structure may be 

 destroyed by disease, or broken down by a blow or fall, and 

 then the nose sinks or is twisted. These acquired peculiarities 

 must be carefully excluded when we attempt to study the 

 nose as a feature, and a part of the physiognomical cast of 

 the countenance. In Michael Angelo's portrait a deflexion of 

 the nose is represented, which was the result of a blow given 

 by a fellow student in early life. The interior of the nose is 

 rarely quite symmetrical, and a slight twist of its end to the 

 right side has been supposed to be caused by the habitual 

 use of the handkerchief in the right hand. 



In describing and classifying noses the following terms may 

 be conveniently used. 



An average nose ; this would mean that the organ was well 

 placed, or usual size, and presented no peculiarities. 



The epithets large and small, when applied to a nose other- 

 wise average, explain themselves. 



A straight nose, means a nose of which the ridge runs in a 

 straight line from the bridge to the tip. 



A Grecian nose is one in which the ridge presents a slight 

 and graceful convexity and two very slight depressions. 



KRcnnan nose is one in which the convexity is very con- 

 siderable. It is a Duke of Wellington nose, and is often 

 associated with some tendency to be hooked. 



An Aquiline nose. This is the nose of the adult Jew. It has 

 a high convexity and an excessive downward growth, so that 

 the curve resembles that of a parrot's beak, and a shallow 

 notch is produced in the borders of the wings. Possibly, 

 however, a parrot nose should be distinguished from an 

 aquiline one. 



A snub nose. In this, the middle of the ridge is concave, 

 and at the same time the end is somewhat thick. 



