Saturn when long gives prudence, love of solitude and a
reserved, studious disposition. When short it denotes frivolity and
general lack of seriousness in all things.

The Finger of the Sun when long gives love of the beautiful, desire for
celebrity and fame, but when excessively long, the tendency inclines more
toward notoriety, risk in speculation, the love of money and gambling.
When short it denotes a dislike of all these things.

The Finger of Mercury when long gives mental power, grasp of languages,
and power of expression, especially in speech. When short it denotes
difficulty in speaking, and in the expression of thoughts. When crooked,
with an irregular Head Line, it is an evil sign of the Mentality.

The fingers should be long in proportion to the palm; they then denote
greater intellectuality and mental power. When short and stubby looking,
the subject is inclined to animalism and gross materialism.

When the fingers lean towards one another, they take after the qualities
expressed by the finger towards which they lean.

[Illustration: _THE SQUARE WITH SMOOTH JOINTS_

_THE POINTED_

_THE KNOTTY_

PLATE IV.--PART II.

DIFFERENT SHAPES OF FINGERS.]

A wide space between the thumb and first finger denotes independence of
will and fearlessness.

When wide between the first and second fingers, independence of thought;
between the second and third fingers, independence of circumstances; and
wide between the third and fourth fingers, independence of action.

When the fingers are found loose and inclined to curve backwards, the
subject is "open-minded" and quick to grasp ideas or suggestions. They
will not, however, have the more methodical stick-at-it quality of those
whose fingers are found firm and stiff.

When the fingers are curved inwards, the subject is slower to grasp new
ideas, very cautious, and inclined to hold on to what he knows or what he
has.

Smooth-jointed fingers are more impulsive than those with "knotty
joints". The "knotty joints" arrest the impetuousness of the disposition
and give reflection, love of detail in all their work and are more
frequently found in the hands of all great organisers and those who
require thought and reflection in carrying out their plans.

CHAPTER IV

THE NAILS OF THE HAND

A study of the Nails of the Hand is a remarkably accurate guide to many
diseases. This part of Palmistry is now recognised by the majority of
medical men, who seldom fai