he mind
wanted to grab hold or retain.

The supple-jointed Thumb is more impulsive in its desire to give than is
the stiff-jointed class, whereas the latter type demands reflection
before he even gives an opinion.

If a favour should be asked of the man with the supple-jointed Thumb, one
should remember that he is more inclined to give in on the impulse of the
moment, and if one does not press one's point home at once, he is likely
first to promise, and later, on reflection, change his mind.

The man with the stiff-jointed Thumb (Fig. 3, Plate III.) on the
contrary, is more likely to refuse at first and on reflection to agree to
the proposition; but it he does make up his mind, he will stick to his
judgment or opinion, and the more he is opposed the more determined he
will be to hold to his view.

[Illustration: FIG. 1.--THE CLUBBED THUMB.

FIG. 2.--THE SUPPLE-JOINTED THUMB.

FIG. 3.--THE FIRM-JOINTED THUMB.

FIG. 4.--THE WAIST-LIKE THUMB.

FIG. 5.--THE STRAIGHT THUMB.

FIG. 6.--THE ELEMENTARY THUMB.

PLATE III.--PART II.]

The firm-jointed thumb is then the outward sign of a more resisting
nature, and the longer the first or nail phalange is, the stronger and
more powerful the Will force.

These people seldom make friends so easily or rapidly as those belonging
to the other type. On a railway journey they rarely begin a conversation
with a fellow traveller, and if they have to do so it will generally be
in the form of an argument that "the window must be left open or shut,"
as the case may be. Heaven help the other poor traveller if he should
also happen to have a stiff thumb, and oppose his ideas to those of the
first.

The supple-jointed class, on the contrary, enter readily into
conversation with strangers, and they often make their greatest friends
while travelling. They are affable, charming companions, and give in
readily to the wishes of others. In fact, this quality inclines to a
weakness that should be guarded against. Among all those men and women
who take the "easiest way" a large majority will be found to have very
supple-jointed thumbs. This, however, will be greatly qualified by the
position and appearance of the Line of Head, the indicator of the
developed mental Will.

To have a supple lower or middle joint does not relate to the Will but to
the phalange of Logic of the possessor. When this second joint is found
supple the subject adapts himself to circumstances rather than to
person