Part 6 (1/2)

116. A white spot in the nail, when it comes, means a present. You get the present when it grows to the end and is cut.

_Boston, Ma.s.s._

117. White spots on the nails of the left hand denote the number of lies one has told.

_Maine and Central Illinois._

118. Count on finger-nail spots:--

Friends, Foes, Money, Beaux.

Begin with the first nail spotted, and the noun falling to the last nail thus marked gives the sign.

_Deerfield, Ma.s.s._

119. Another formula:--

(First finger) a friend, (Second finger) a foe, (Third finger) a gift, (Fourth finger) a beau, (Fifth finger) a journey to go.

_Mansfield, O._

An almost identical variant is found in Prince Edward Island.

FOOT.

120. If your instep is high enough to have water flow under it, you are of good descent.

_Brookline, Ma.s.s._

121. A mole on the sole of the left foot means trouble and hards.h.i.+ps during life.

_Boston, Ma.s.s._

FOREHEAD.

122. If there is a blue vein in the child's forehead extending down upon the nose, it is one of the surest signs of early death.

_Maine and Ma.s.sachusetts._

123. Vertical wrinkles in the brow show the number of husbands one will have. Horizontal ones show the number of children.

_Northern Ohio._

HAIR.

124. Coa.r.s.e hair indicates good nature; fine hair quick temper.

_Northern Ohio._

125. Red hair indicates a ”spit-fire.”

_Ma.s.sachusetts and Chestertown, Md._

126. Beware of that man, Be he friend or brother, Whose hair is one color And moustache another.

_Portland, Me._

127. The color of the hair growing on the neck indicates the color of the hair of one's future husband.

128. A single white hair means genius; it must not be pulled out.