Any thumb resembling the heavy formation of this one shows an approach to its common qualities, and while you will not find many as coarse as the illustration, you will find some so near, that they tell tales not hard to understand.

NERVOUS THUMB

No. 72. NERVOUS THUMB.

STRONG WILL, WITH MUSCULAR STRENGTH

No. 73. STRONG WILL, WITH MUSCULAR STRENGTH.

Thumbs will be found which, as you look at them and take hold of them, are seemingly quite flat, looking as though they have been pressed until the substance is gone out of them (72). They are found in all textures of skin, all kinds of hands, and with any tips. These thumbs are soft or flabby, and it is the flatness that is their distinguishing mark. This is a nervous thumb, and will show you the nervous force and nervous energy that are proving too strong for the owner. When this flat thumb is found you often find the fluted nail, many lines in the hand, and a soft or flabby consistency, all of which is an indication of nervous unbalance. It tells of the nervous excess in the subject, for the flat thumb is the nervous thumb.

A thumb may be found which is not round and shapeless, as is the elementary, nor flat like the nervous thumb, yet, when viewed from the nail side, it has a broad look (73). It is broad in both phalanges, and has a strong, healthy appearance. This is a formation which will show you a strong determination backed by physical strength. It is not the brutish obstinacy, the ignorant unreasonableness of the elementary, but it is a healthy strength, so healthy that it may at times be too strong. It indicates the determination that accomplishes its object and, rising over every obstacle, is pushing and aggressive, but may easily be turned into a violent quality of obstinacy, and often needs guidance and holding down to keep it within bounds.

There is the thumb which appears of one thickness throughout its entire length; it is delicate and shapely, with square or a conic tip (74). The nail is of smooth texture and pink color, the skin of fine quality and the entire aspect of the thumb full of life, grace, and refinement. This thumb shows strong will, for the first phalanx is good, shows good logical qualities also, for the second phalanx is strong, yet it shows at the same time refinement, taste, and tact in the use of these qualities. Its owner will more certainly reach the end he aims at than will he of the heavy, coarse thumb, but he will not wound feelings, nor will he walk rough shod over anyone. With diplomatic mind, and firm determination, instead of knocking people down that he may pass, he will slip by and between them so easily, that while he "gets there" no one wishes to check him. This beautiful thumb attracts you, tells of the strong character of its owner, and also of the refined, intelligent, kindly nature, filling the lives of all around it with beauty, yet having ample firmness of purpose.

It shows the refinement of will, the refinement of intelligent reason, taste, tact, and perseverance.

The four thumbs just described will enable you to judge upon what plane the thumb qualities operate.

STRONG WILL, TACT AND REFINEMENT

No. 74. STRONG WILL, TACT AND REFINEMENT.

After treating the thumb as a whole, next consider the phalanges, and examine them as to length, shape of tips, and form. Remembering the rule that the first phalanx should be a little shorter than the second, and that with a thumb placed normally on the hand the tip should reach to the middle of the third phalanx of the finger of Jupiter, we will proceed with our examination as to length of phalanges. In estimating the strength of any phalanx of the thumb, the length is an important consideration at the outset. A thumb with the first phalanx much longer than the second will tell you that will is much stronger than reason. These subjects are obstinate, tyrannical, despotic, and if crossed in the operation of their plans will, with unreasoning stubbornness, fly into a temper. This is another instance where the excess of a good quality may bring evil results, and when will is stronger than reason it is easy to predict that unreasonable obstinacy will be the result. Where the first phalanx is the same length as the second, the two qualities are balanced (75). Will is strong, reason is strong, consequently the determination of this subject will be the quiet strength that comes from good judgment, and no bullying, no tyranny, will be shown as in the case of the excessive will phalanx.

In the balanced phalanges there will be as much firmness, as much determination, as is necessary, but it will be controlled and operated by logic and reason. There will be no weakness, no fickleness, but intelligent strength that marks the natural leader.

WILL AND LOGIC BALANCED

No. 75. WILL AND LOGIC BALANCED.

The thumb with the second phalanx strong and the first phalanx deficient shows a nature out of balance. In this instance, reason will dominate, will is secondary. The subject will think but not act; these people lack the power of carrying out their ideas, the determination to live up to their intentions. They are the ones who are always telling how the government, business, religion, and everything ought to be run, but are doing nothing to have their ideas carried out. They are planners, not operators, reasoners, not doers. Thumbs in which the will phalanx is wofully short, and entirely out of proportion to logic, will tell of the absolute weakness of the owner. He may be ruled by any person, no matter how ignorant, and goes through life an easy tool for anyone who chooses to command him. These people are "weaker than water," easily discouraged, and stand no chance to be anything but servers. These subjects sometimes show great stubbornness, especially if on their guard, but this display of will is only spasmodic and puerile, and the inherent weakness of the subject does not permit it to continue long. So from the excess in length of the will phalanx to the absolute deficiency above described are found the various degrees of will power of your subject.