PLATE XXXVIII.

FISH.

As is the power of perception, so is the expression. How different are these profiles from that of man! How much the reverse of human perpendicularity! How little is there of countenance, when compared to the lion! How visible is the

want of mind, reflection, and cunning!

What little or no analogy to forehead! What an impossibility of covering, of half, or entirely closing the eyes! The eye itself is merely circular, and prominent; has nothing of the lengthened form of the eye of the fox, or elephant.

A monster, 2. How infinitely distant from all that can be called graceful, lovely, or agreeable! The arched mouth, with the pointed teeth, how senseless, intractable, and void of passion or feeling; devouring without pleasure or satisfaction! How inexpressibly stupid is the mouth of 3, especially in its relative proportion to the eye!

PLATE XXXIX.

INSECTS.

How inexpressibly various are the characteristics impressed by the eternal Creator on all living beings!

How has he stamped on each its legible and peculiar properties? How especially visible is this in the lowest classes of animal life! The world of insects is a world of itself. The distance between this and the world of men I own is great; yet, were it sufficiently known, how useful would it be to human physiognomy! What certain proofs of the physiognomy of men must be obtained from insect physiognomy!

Through all their forms and gradations, how visible are their powers of destruction, of suffering and resisting; of sensibility and insensibility! Are not all the compact hard-winged insects physiognomonically and characteristically more capable and retentive than various light and tender species of the butterfly? Is not the softest flesh the weakest, the most suffer

ing, the easiest to destroy? Are not the insects of least brain. the beings most removed from man, who has the most brain?

Is it not perceptible in each species whether it be warlike, defensive, enduring, weak, enjoying, destructive, easy to be crushed, or crushing? How distinct in the external character are their degrees of strength, of defence, of stinging, or of appetite !

The agility and swiftness of the great dragon fly, 1, are shown in the structure of its wings. Perpetually on flight, in search of small flies.-How sluggish, on the contrary, is the crawling caterpillar, 2! How carefully does he set his feet as he ascends a leaf! How yielding his substance, incapable of resistance !-How peaceable, harmless, and indolent is the moth, 8!--How full of motion, bravery, and hardiness, is the industrious ant! How loath to remove, on the contrary, is the harnessed lady bird!

SERPENTS.

If any being, throughout nature, can be discovered void of physiognomy, or a countenance which does not express its character, then will I allow that physiognomy, when applied to man, is a false science.

What has less yet more of physiognomy than the serpent? May we not perceive, in the heads before us, decisive tokens of cunning and treachery?

Certainly not a trace of understanding, or deliberate plan. -No memory, no comprehension, but the most unbounded craft and falsehood.-How are these reprobate qualities distinguishable in their form!

The very play of their colours, and wonderful meandering of their spots, appear to announce and to warn us of their deceit. Among these four heads, which can gain affection, or inspire confidence? Let us but, in imagination, suppose any such human countenance, and how should we shrink and shudder!

I grant, indeed, that the most crafty men have eyes sunken in the head, whereas the eye in the serpent is prominent, but this is the sign of malignant craft. 9, only, has the aspect of cunning.