t is much more often found on women's hands than on men's, although many
cases have come under my notice of its being unusually clearly marked on
some men's hands. In each case the possessor of it had most remarkable
powers and unusual faculties, as well as the gift of intuition, even
concerning purely mundane subjects that in an ordinary state they knew
nothing whatever about.

I use the words "ordinary state" advisably here, because such people are
not always in the condition of mind when these strange faculties may be
employed. Several of these men were absolutely uneducated, and yet at
times, when thrown into an inspired state, they were able to explain the
most intricate problems with the greatest accuracy. If asked, however,
from where they obtained their knowledge, they were only able to reply
that "it came to them" when in certain moods.

One man I knew well had such remarkable dreams of coming events that he
was able to warn many people weeks and months in advance of dangers that
lay before them, and his warnings in many cases saved life.

With all people who were gifted in this way I have noticed that they
completely lost their strange powers the moment they indulged in alcohol
of any kind.

THE VIA LASCIVA

This is a strange mark (6, Plate XX.) which takes the form also somewhat
of a semi-circle, but in this case it connects the Mount of the Moon with
that of Venus, or it may simply run off the hand from the lower part of
the Mount of Luna into the wrist.

The first-mentioned formation indicates unbridled sensuality and passion,
and where it cuts through the Line of Life it indicates death, but one
usually brought about in connection with the licentiousness that it
denotes.

This Line running from the Mount of the Moon into the wrist denotes the
most sensual dreams, desires, and imaginings, but, unlike the other
class, it is usually only dangerous to the person on whose hand it is
found.

In both cases there is generally a tendency towards the taking of drugs
such as opium, morphine, especially when the hand is noted to be soft,
full, and flabby. With a firm hard palm the subject usually indulges in
excessive drinking fits, and when under drink seems to have no control
whatever.

If the Line of Head is found weak-looking, full of islands and descending
downwards on the Mount of the Moon, insanity or the worst form of
degeneracy will sooner or later destroy the whole character and career.