g much out of any talents they may
possess. They can generally do a little of everything but nothing well.
They can talk on any subject that may crop up, but never impress their
listeners with depth of thought on any subject.

It is only when the Line of Head is found on such hands clear and
straight that there is a likelihood of these persons developing some one
talent out of the versatility that this type gives.

CHAPTER II

THE THUMB

In the judgment of character by the formation of the Hand, the Thumb is
of about the same importance as the nose is to the face. It must be
understood to represent the natural Will Power, whereas the Line of Head
represents the Mental Will.

In my larger works on this subject I have gone into very deeply the
medical reasons why character should be expressed by the Thumb and the
extraordinary role it has played in civilisation, and also in the various
religions of the world.

The Thumb proper represents the three great worlds of ideas, viz., Love,
Logic, and Will (Plate VI., Part II.).

Love is represented by the base of the Thumb which is covered on the hand
by the Mount of Venus.

Logic is the middle phalange, and Will is the top or nail portion.

When these divisions are found large, the qualities are increased; when
small, they play a smaller role in the life of the individual.

There are two distinct classes of Thumbs, the supple-jointed and the
firm-jointed.

The former of these divisions is the Thumb bending outwards and supple
at the joint underneath the nail (Fig. 2, Plate III.).

This denotes a nature pliable and adaptable to others, very broad-minded,
rather unconventional, and not obstinate in its views of life. These
characteristics will be increased if the Head Line be found sloping and
bending downwards. If, however, the Line of Head be found lying straight
across the palm, they are more conventional. The "supple-jointed" thumb
also denotes generosity of mind both as regards thought and money. In all
ways these people are more extravagant than people who have the straight
firm-jointed thumb. In other words they "give more" even in what they
think as well as in what they do.

The nearer the Thumb approaches the side of the hand, or the more it
looks tied down or cramped to the palm, the more the subject is inclined
to grasp or hold. The true miser has always a thumb cramped towards the
hand, and the nail phalange as a rule slightly turned in, as if t