History of Monsters. 89

V. several bones at the wing's tip, corresponding to the palm. X. the larger thigh bones, one on each side. Y. the larger leg bone, known as the tibia. Z. the smaller leg bone. & the bone provided to birds in place of a human ankle, corresponding to the tarsus. AA. the toes, of which the rear one serves as the hallux. BB. four joints in the largest or outermost toe. CC. three joints in this toe. DD. two joints in this toe, just like in the rear one.

PHYSIOGNOMY

The practice of divination based on human appearance might seem, according to Holy Scripture, to be entirely unapproved; after all, we read in the Gospel of John: "Do not judge by face and appearance, but judge with righteous judgment." Nevertheless, this assertion by John by no means prevents us from drawing some conclusions from the human face and figure. His words refer to those who judge out of wicked motives rather than the facts of a case—those who deviate from the truth due to partiality, hatred, or contempt for others, a vice that must be avoided at all costs. Therefore, while humans do not differ in their essential form, accidental differences are worth observing, as these serve us greatly in distinguishing different characters. Thus, if we briefly consider all parts of the human body, we can derive the various characters of men from their varying arrangement and shape.

Starting with the head: if it is large in proportion to the rest of the body, it indicates a dull-witted person. If it is small and tiny, it suggests a fool. A medium-sized head is natural and indicates the best senses. When the shape of the head is so elongated that it resembles a pinecone, those with such heads will be shameless and boastful; similarly, men with short, spherical heads are foolish and forgetful. When the head is thick and flat on top, it belongs to people steeped in every kind of vice. If it is long, like a hammer, it indicates prudent and clever men; if it is concave in the front, it signifies those who are prone to anger and deceit.

The head is covered with hair. If the hair is curly, it is seen in the timid; if it stands upright, it is observed in coarse men. The best sign lies in a moderate temperament between these. Hard hair, like that of wild beasts, denotes a beast-like man, while soft and abundant hair indicates a feminine nature; thus, a middle ground is preferred. Black hair is seen in the cunning, while reddish and pale hair—like that of the Scythians—signifies rusticity and laziness. Light red hair distinguishes those who are docile and successful. However, intensely red hair is disapproved of, as it is accompanied by beastly habits. It was perhaps regarding this color that the poet sang:

Red of hair, black of face, short of foot, and flawed of sight: You perform a great feat, Zoilus, if you are a good man.

If we turn to the forehead, it will either be narrower than it should be—suggesting someone who is foolish, unteachable, and a slave to their stomach—or it will be wider than normal, as seen in oxen, which marks men of duller intellect and laziness. A lower forehead belongs to a faint-hearted man, while one that is lower and more rounded belongs to an inept and fickle person. Conversely, a longer forehead distinguishes a kind and docile man. A square and well-formed forehead is a sign of magnanimity, prudence, and integrity. One that is tight and shiny signifies flattery. A "cloudy" forehead suits the bold, and a raised one suits the generous. When it is swollen near the temples, it denotes men puffed up with pride and coarse in intellect. A wrinkled forehead belongs to a pensive man. When it is rough and swollen in various places, it designates a maliciously foolish man who thirsts excessively for gold.

If we consider the various shapes, colors, and movements of the eyes, we can also derive various human characters from them. Small eyes belong to the faint-hearted, while large eyes belong to the sluggish and mild-mannered. Sunken eyes reveal those who are malicious and envious, just as protruding eyes reveal the foolish. Eyes that are slightly