towards the palm, denote persons slow to
grasp an idea, or a subject, but such people have retentive memories and
"hold" or grip, as it were, any one thing they may take up.

CHARACTER SHOWN BY THE THUMB

The thumb is in itself more expressive of character than any other member
of the hand. It was D'Arpentigny who wrote "the thumb individualises the
man."

Medical science has proved that there is such a thing as a "thumb centre"
in the brain and any pressure or disease in that part of the brain _shows
its effect in the thumb_.

A large well-made thumb is the outward and visible sign of a
strong-willed, determined person, be he man or woman.

The longer the thumb, the more the power of will rules the actions; the
shorter the thumb, the more brute force and obstinacy sways the nature.

The shorter and more thick-set the nail phalange is, giving the
appearance of a club, the more ungovernable is the person in his or her
temper. Such people have no control over themselves and under the least
opposition will fly into a blind rage of fury. This curious formation has
been called the "Murderer's Thumb" because so many who have committed
murder in a mad fit of passion have been found with this curious
formation.

An employee with this class of thumb should never be given any position
of authority over others, for he could not curb his ungovernable temper.
He would also be absolutely unbalanced in his jealousy, and no woman who
has the ambition to live to the usual "threescore-years-and-ten" should
risk marriage to a man with one of these thumbs. But as "love is blind"
it is useless, I know, to give advice in such a case.

The first joint or nail phalange of the thumb, when long and thin,
denotes the opposite of the above characteristics. In such cases the
person has the most absolute control over his temper, his will power is
also strong but quick and unobtrusive, and in a firm, determined way
people with such a thumb manage others and bend those around them to
their purpose.

The second joint, if delicately shaped, almost "waist like," indicates
tact, diplomacy, and gentleness, also subtlety in argument; but if this
part of the thumb be full looking or equal in size to that of the nail
phalange, it denotes the person who cares nothing for tact but who, on
all occasions, will speak his mind plainly, and with brutal frankness.

When the thumb looks as if it were "tied in" close to the hand, the
person is timid, eas