CIIPROMANCY, fortune-telling by a study of the human hand (always the left hand), once widely believed in and still practiced to some extent. The points to be observed are the lines, the projections, the joints, the nails, and the contour of the thumb and fingers. The principal line is the line of life, running in a curve from the upper joint of the forefinger around the ball of the thumb to the joint of the wrist. If this line shows four distinct and equal furrows near its beginning at the forefinger joint, the per son is promised an easy attainment of wealth and honor. If the line be regular and deeply colored, a long and happy life is predicted; if it be freely marked, tortuous and broken, it foretells ill health and short life. If short perpendicular lines run from the line of life toward the palm of the hand, the person may be expected to go on a long journey; if toward the wrist, to be exiled. If the line of life be narrowed but long and strongly colored, it indicates ingenuity and wisdom; a deep line, equally colored, denotes a malicious disposition; mid if separated near the center by sharply defined cross lines, it is a sign of approaching death. The next important line is the line of health, starting with the line of life and running nearly or wholly across the middle of the hand. If the line be clear and unbroken, it indicates excellence of body and mind; if it be broken and feeble, timidity and ill health are indicated. The line of fortune, or happiness, is below the line of health, and runs from the base of the fore to the base of the little finger. When this line is distinct and straight it indicates happiness and pleasant temper; if it begins close to the upper side of the hand, it indicates pride; if red in the upper section, envy is foreshadowed; a cross line, so that the two form an upright cross, indicates gen erosity; if broken and crossed by small lines near the middle, it indicates duplicity. Another line not found in all hands is the line of the joint, or line of the triangle, extending from the base of the little finger to the middle of the joint of the wrist. When this line
is clear, it promises great success after much difficulty. The 'mountain of Venus is the elevation at the base of the thumb, and when smooth and unfurrowed a happy tempera ment is indicated. The mountain of Jupiter is the fleshy projection at the base of the forefinger; that of Saturn at the base of the middle finger; that of the sun at the base of the ring finger; that of Mercury at the base of the littlefinger, and that of the moon is the elevation or bunch on the lower side of the hand. When mountains are clear and smooth, the indications are: of Jupiter, a heart inclined to virtue; of Saturn, love of labor, and simplicity of character; of the sun, eloquence and vivacious temperament; of Mercury, firmness in men, and modesty in women; of Mars, courage and heroism; of the moon, a tranquil disposition inclined to melancholy. The lines and shades on the mountains have their significance. Small lines near the little finger, parallel with the line of fortune, indicate happy wedded life, and some say their number foretells the number of children. One more line is called the millq way, running downward on the mountain of the moon from the wrist joint toward the little finger; if it be long and clearly defined, it foretells success in studies or in arts or fortune in a distant land. Small white spots tinder the nails indicate the fulfillment of wishes, at near or remote periods as they are far or near the roots. Aristotle regarded C. as a distinct science; the Roman soothsayers, and even the emperor Augustus, practiced it; in the middle ages it was studied with alchemy and astrology by the greatest philosophers; the church tolerated it while condemning astrology, or its interference with the doctrine of human liberty. No longer regarded as scientific, it presents at least a curious study.