have sought to penetrate the
more intimate mysteries of human nature, and since we are here concerned
with human beings in their relationship to the process of detumescence, we
cannot altogether pass over this question, difficult as it is to discuss
it with precision.

The old physiognomists showed much confidence in dealing with the
matter. Possibly they had more opportunities for observation than
we have, since they often wrote in days when life was lived more
nakedly than among ourselves, but their descriptions, while
sometimes showing much insight, are inextricably mixed up with
false science and superstition.

In the _De Secretis Mulierum_, wrongly attributed to Albertus
Magnus, we find a chapter entitled "Signa mulieris calidae naturae
et quae coit libenter," which may be summarized here. "The signs,"
we are told, "of a woman of warm temperament, and one who
willingly cohabits are these: youth, an age of over 12, or
younger, if she has been seduced, small, high breasts, full and
hard, hair in the usual positions; she is bold of speech, with a
delicate and high voice, haughty and even cruel of disposition,
of good complexion, lean rather than stout, inclined to like
drinking. Such a woman always desires coitus, and receives
satisfaction in the act. The menstrual flow is not abundant nor
always regular. If she becomes pregnant the milk is not abundant.
Her perspiration is less odorous than that of the woman of
opposite temperament; she is fond of singing, and of moving
about, and delights in adornments if she has any."

Polemon, in his _Sulla Physionomia_, has given among the signs of
libidinous impulse: knees turned inwards, abundance of hairs on
the legs, squint, bright eyes, a high and strident voice, and in
women length of leg below the knee. Aristotle had mentioned among
the signs of wantonness: paleness, abundance of hair on the body,
thick and black hair, hairs covering the temples, and thick
eyelids.

In the seventeenth century Bouchet, in his _Serees_ (Troisieme
Seree), gave as the signs of virility which indicated that a man
could have children: a great voice, a thick rough black beard, a
large thick nose.

G. Tourdes (Art. "Aphrodisie," _Dictionnaire Encyclopedique des
Sciences Medicales_) thus summarized the ancient beliefs on this
subject: "The erotic tempera