In the plate belonging to this chapter we give a hand on which are marked the principal lines seen on the palm; three of which, viz., the Line of Life, the Line of Head and the Line of Heart, are found in a clearer or fainter degree on all hands, but which vary, as regards their relative position, in every hand. The first and largest, that which encircles the thumb, is called the Line of Life; by the length, colour and evenness, or the reverse, of this line the length of life is indicated, and also the illnesses and accidents by which the life is menaced in running its course. The line immediately above it, crossing the palm of the hand, is the Line of Head; by it we are to judge of the intellectual powers. Above it is the Line of Heart, from which we form an opinion of the strength of affection, or the want of it, in the native.
The lines which are not always to be found are the lines going from the wrist to the finger of Saturn, which is called the Saturnian line, and which shows the events of the life; the Line of the Sun, which goes towards the finger of the Sun and which indicates success in art, literature, or the pursuit of riches; and the Line of Health, which goes from the wrist to the finger of Mercury: this line is often absent in a hand.
All these lines will be more fully discussed further on; at present it is only necessary to name them in order to explain the plate belonging to this chapter.
At the base of each figure there is a mount, more or less developed, on every hand. Now, each of these mounts corresponds with one of the planets from which it has received more or less influence, according to its development, and the signs or marks to be found upon it.
It will be seen also, from the plate, that the ancients gave to each finger the name of one of the planets, thus:—
The first finger represented Jupiter, the mount at its base being called the Mount of Jupiter.
The second, Saturn, the mount at its root being the Mount of Saturn.
The third, the Sun, the mount below being the Mount of the Sun.
The fourth, Mercury, the mount at its base being called the Mount of Mercury.
The thumb is sacred to Venus, and the root of the thumb is called the Mount of Venus.