Band 
Vol. II.
Seite
80
JPEG-Download
 

80

PHYSIOGNOMY AND CRANlOLOGY.

the internal quantity, and the covering the applicationof physiognomical power: however the latter may beaffected, the bones must remain unaltered, and yet tlieYregulate the wrinkles, by variation of their componentform. Wrinkles are produced by certain degrees of flatness,others arise from arching; these considered separately givethe form of the arch, and vice versa; some foreheads arefurnished with wrinkles that are confined to an horizontalform, some perpendicular, others curved, whilst others con-sist of confused or mixed lines; those least perplexed, wheninaction are usually distinct: some foreheads are without wrin-kles. A short and firm forehead denotes compression, stability,and little volatility ; serenity and pertinacity belong to therectilinear; the more curved than angular portends flexibi-lity and tenderness of character; deficiency of under-standing is discoverable in those whose foreheads are per-pendicular from the hair to the eyebrows ; but the perfectlyperpendicular gently-arched at the top signifies that thepossessor thinks coolly and profoundly. The projectingforehead indicates stupidity and mental weakness; the re-treating, exactly the reverse; the insular and prominentabove, with straight lines below, and nearly perpendicular,shows sensibility, wisdom, and good understanding. Therectilinear oblique forehead has the same properties: asround foreheads are considered as feminine, with an union ofcurved and straight lines happily disposed into a similarposition of the forehead gives the character of consummatewisdom. Right lines considered as such, and curves con-sidered as such, are relaxed, as power and weakness, obsti-nacy and flexibility, understanding and sensation. Whenthe bones surrounding the eye project and are sharp, theperson thus formed possesses a powerful stimulus to strongmental energy, which is productive of excellent and well-digested plans; and yet this doth not seem a peculiar markof wisdom, as many wise men have been known without it:those thus circumstanced have more firmness when theforehead rests perpendicularly upon horizontal eyebrows,and considerably rounded towards the temples. Perpen-dicular foreheads, however, which project so as not to reston the nose, and which are short, small, shine, and full ofwrinkles, give undoubted indications of weakness of thethinking faculty; perseverance and oppressive violent acti-vity, united with vigour and hastiness, belong to the foreheadcomposed of various confused protuberances ; on the otherhand, when the profile of this part of the head affords twowell proportioned arches, the lowest projecting, it is a