d, firm hand would not indicate as much
delicacy, because hard, firm hands denote in themselves a robust
constitution.

Another important point to consider is, whether the Line of Life goes
straight up to the side of the Mount of Venus and narrows that Mount
(2-2, Plate IX.), or whether it forms a well-defined curve or semicircle
out into the palm (3-3, Plate IX.). In the first case it indicates a
naturally more delicate constitution, and less force of animal magnetism.
This explanation will be readily understood by readers when I again call
their attention to the fact that one of the most important blood-vessels
going from the body to the hand is called the Great Palmer Arch, which
carries the blood up to the hand towards the root of the thumb, and
carries the circulation back on the other side of the Arch almost
underneath the Line of Life. It will, therefore, be seen that people who
have a weaker constitution are more likely to have this Great Palmer Arch
narrower in construction than those who have a robust constitution and
strong circulation of the blood. This is the reason why, when the Mount
of Venus is large and wide on the hand, it gives rise to the idea that it
indicates a more passionate animal nature than when this mount is thin
and narrow.

[Illustration: PLATE IX.

THE LINE OF LIFE AND ITS VARIATIONS.]

While speaking on this particular point, I must also call attention to
the fact that when the Line of Head is curved downwards instead of
running straight across the palm, that it seems to be more attracted to
the qualities indicated by the Mount of Venus and gives more to the
imaginative, romantic nature, showing a greater tendency to fall in love,
than with people who possess the Line of Head running straight across the
hand, as if it were not attracted to the qualities indicated by the Mount
of Venus. It will thus be seen that every point of this study bearing on
character can be reasoned out from a logical standpoint. This places the
study upon a higher foundation than when it is considered purely from the
superstitious standpoint with which it has so long been associated.

If the Line of Life is seen to rise high on the hand towards the Mount of
Jupiter (4-4, Plate IX.), the subject has more control over himself, and
his life is more governed by the ambitious side of his nature. When,
however, the Line of Life rises lower down on the palm, more from the
Mount of Mars (5-5, Plate IX.), it gives les