Will, if strong, runs riot for want of direction, and with conic tips the subject becomes the plaything of anyone who chooses to lead him. Square-tipped people spend all their force in brushing clothing, dusting the room, or cleaning up the desk. They would rather see things in order than to see much accomplished. All the good qualities of square tips are narrowed and dwarfed by the short second phalanx. Spatulate tips are only sputterers, and worry as well as aggravate by their foolish restlessness, for deficient logic has ruined all. The length of the second phalanx has shown what amount of logic our subject has; we must now examine the shape of the phalanx to discover what kind it is.

A phalanx which is not thick and coarse but merely broad shows good muscular strength and robustness in the reasoning faculties. The subject will have healthful views, and, while vigorous and strong, will not be coarse. If the tips be square, he will be practical, and, with a good first phalanx, determined. This development of second phalanx is rarely found on thumbs otherwise weak. If it is, you may be sure that great strength has been added to the deficient thumb. A conic tip with this shaped phalanx is an extreme rarity, but when found the subject is much more healthful in his views with this broad second phalanx.

A flat and flabby second phalanx is the nervous development (see 72). It indicates weakness of constitution and vitality. There may be knowledge, but not physical strength to make logic operative. With this formation, there will be a poor and weakened exhibition of all the tip qualities. Physical strength is needed here. If the second phalanx be coarse, heavy, and thick (see 71) it shows elementary reasoning, the brutal, common point of view, and this will operate on the will phalanx and the tips. It is a part of the elementary thumb shown elsewhere, and partakes of its coarse qualities.

If the second phalanx be slender, round, and the skin of fine texture (see 74), refined logic is possessed by the subject. He thinks in a fine, delicate way, but loses no element of strength by the fineness. He reasons and plans how to gain his ends tactfully, and gives the will phalanx and tips refined direction. If the thoughts are evil, this type is much more to be feared than the elementary phalanx, not from a point of physical danger, but from the clever and adroit direction it can give to the will. In this case it shows the crafty, fox-like. designing villain. If the thoughts are good it is one of the best shapes to be found.

No. 83. WAIST-LIKE SECOND PHALANX.

When the second phalanx is very narrow in the middle, or waist-shaped (83), it is the sign of a brilliant, tactful nature. This subject does everything in an adroit and diplomatic way, and has the faculty of approaching persons in the right manner. He never " rubs you the wrong way," but seems to know how to gain his ends by pleasant means. These people are pleasant to meet because they do not always step on your toes. Whenever you see this waist-like second phalanx, it should at once speak of tact, taste, brilliancy, diplomacy, and, if long, great mental strength. All these qualities, behind a good will, make a combination from which future success may be expected.

No. 84. SUPPLE THUMB.

There are two formations of thumbs often met in various degrees of development, each of which possesses strong and opposite qualities; these are what are known as the supple and the stiff thumb. The first, or supple thumb, must be distinguished by the fact that it bends back at the joint as does the flexible hand, not merely that it opens wide as does the low-set thumb, and for this reason I believe it better to call it the supple and flexible thumb (84), inasmuch as it possesses flexibility in the highest degree. This supple and flexible thumb personifies extravagance, and those who possess this type are spendthrifts, - brilliant, versatile, easily adapting themselves to changing circumstances. They are at home anywhere, are sentimental, generous, and sympathetic, will give their last cent to a beggar, are improvident, and do not lay up for a "rainy day." They are emotional, consequently extremists, up one day, in the depths the next. This arises from great versatility and from the fact that their brilliant qualities enable them to do so many things. They axe never plodders, but by brilliant dashes achieve their successes. Never satisfied to be led, they aspire to surpass their brethren, and as a rule they find no trouble in so doing, as they are both talented and versatile.

Theirs is a most brilliant and happy nature, but often ruined by its very brilliancy. When you see these thumbs, look at once for indications that may hold in check the supple thumb qualities. Square tips, a good Head-line, and good Mount of Saturn will do more than any other combination to hold them in balance. Spatulate originality will not help them, neither will conic impulse; it must be sobering qualities.

The stiff thumb is one which is stiff in the joint, and does not bend back as does the supple (85). This thumb inclines to carry itself erect and close to the hand, as well as to be stiff in the joint. You must use the joint as your guide, in determining the stiff thumb and its degree of development. The stiff-thumbed subject is practical, common-sense, economical, stingy, and weighs everything carefully. Those who have it possess a strong will, stubborn determination, and are cautious, reserved, and do not give or invite confidence. They save their money, plod along, and wonder how their supple-thumbed brethren can throw their money away. They cannot make one fourth as much as supple thumbs, but they save what they do make. They are steady, not extremists, do not expect a great deal, and are consequently not disappointed when they do not receive much. They enjoy life in their way. but it is in a quiet fashion. They cannot do many things, but what they do attempt is done well. They are not erratic, but stick to one thing, commanding respect by their strength of purpose.