Thumb Portraits

World of Wonders. If the "ball," or cushioii-like surfaco of lbo top joint of the thumb, be examined, it can be seeu that in the eentre - as, indeed, in the lingers also- is a kind of spiral formeel of line grooves in the skin. Tlie spiral is, however, rarely, however, quite perfect - therc are irregularities, or places whero lines run into Oftcb other here and there. Exam ining both thumbs, it will bc secn thai Iliey do notexactly match; buttlie figure on each thumb is the same through life. If the thumbs of auy two persons are comparod, it will further be fouud that no two are alike. Thero may be, and generally is, a "family ï'csemblance" between members of the same family, as in other features; there are also nationalcharacteristics; Diitthe individuals diffcr. All this is bettcr secn by taking "proof impressions" of the thumb. This is easily done by pressing it on a slab covered with a film of printers' ink, and then presring it on a piece of white paper; or a littlo anilino dye, Indian ink - almost anythihg - may be The Chinese takc advantagc of all Ibis to identify their important crimináis, at least in some parts of the Empire. We photograph their faces; they take improssions from their thumbs. These are stored away, and if the delinquent should ever again fall into the hands of the pólice, another impression at once aftbrds the means of eomparison. The Chinese say that, considering the alteration made in the counteuance by liair and board, and the power many nïen have of distorting or altering the actual features, etc, tneir method affords oven more certain and easy means of identifleation than our plan of taking the criminal's portrait. Perhaps we mifht with advantago take a leaf out of tlieir book. One hour to day is worth two tomonow. IIk who foresces calaivnties suffers them twice over.