II.—OF THE HEPATICA, OR NATURAL MEAN.
This line being straight, continued, and not dissected by obverse little lines, denotes a healthful body.
If it be short or broken, and reach not beyond the concave of the hand, it shows diseases and shortness of life.
By how much more the same is produced, by so much longer the life may be warranted.
If cut at the end thereof by a small intervening line, it threatens poverty in old age.
If in the upper part it be distant from the vital by a great space, it shows distemperatures of the heart, as palpitations, syncope, &c.
This also shows prodigality, especially if the table be broad.
If tortuous (that is, if it wind and turn several ways), unequal, of a different color and dissected, it argues an evil constitution of the liver, and thence diseases, proceeding from the weakness thereof. Covetousness also, and a depravity both of nature and wit, especially if it be under the region of the middle finger, and near the cardiaca, thereby making a short or narrow triangle.
If decently drawn and well colored, it is a sign of a cheerful and ingenious disposition.
If it has a sister, it promises inheritances.
If continued with some little hard knots, it denotes manslaughters, either perpetrated, or to be committed, according to the number of these said knots.
If therein a cross be found under the region of the middle finger, it announces death to be at hand.
If it terminates with a fork towards the ferient, it is a sign of depraved wit, of hypocrisy, and of evil manners.
When it tends to the mensa, it is a token of a slanderous tongue and of envy.
When it projects a remarkable cleft through the vital to the mons veneris, and the sister of Mars, especially if the same be of a ruddy color, it warns you to beware of thieves, and also intimates fraud and deceit of enemies.
This cleft likewise insinuates a most vehement heat of the liver, proceeding from the rays of Mars; so that the life becomes in danger, seeing that the line of life is dissected.
This line having some branch, yet such a one as nevertheless seems to be continued, shows that the manner of life will be, or is already changed; and this in a declining age if the breach be under the ring finger; but, if under the middle finger, in strength of years.