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P. 141
;
139
ter attributes to the good, acute, honest, candid, and faithful
disposition of the mind, in common with those who really
possess the amiable qualities of which they are the symbols.
Foul, uneven, ugly teeth, are also as frequently seen with
persons of the most amiable disposition, who have no men-
tal imperfection, nor any malady except that which may
arise from the state of the teeth.
Foul teeth are certainly ugly, and those who make no at-
tempt to keep their teeth clean undoubtedly betray great
negligence of character ; and may, without injustice, be sus-
pected of not possessing a taste for cleanliness or delicacy.
Well arranged teeth are justly esteemed a beauty, and
irregular teeth a deformity ; but it is a deformity which is
produced by physical and not by mental causes.
The general causes of the irregularities of the teeth have
it
already been pointed out in the chapter on that subject ;
would, therefore, be superfluous to repeat them.*
It has also been remarked that the si* of the teeth de-
pends on the ossific matter deposited for their formation ;
their size must consequently be determined long before the
actions of the passions of the mind begin to develope them-
selves ; and hence it is evident that the mind cannot influence
the length or breadth of the teeth. The size and shape
of the teeth cannot therefore, be a more just criterion by
which to judge of the mental qualities of individuals, than
the variations of personal height or circumference.
In the glowing pages of the philosophic Herder are many
observations upon the physiognomy of the teeth ; but they
-
are founded as much in error as those of Lavater. Neither
Lavater, Herder, nor any of the physiognomists, seem to have
been acquainted with the physiology of the teeth ; their ob-
servations should however, by no means, be disregarded
they tend to prove the importance of good, clean, and even
139
ter attributes to the good, acute, honest, candid, and faithful
disposition of the mind, in common with those who really
possess the amiable qualities of which they are the symbols.
Foul, uneven, ugly teeth, are also as frequently seen with
persons of the most amiable disposition, who have no men-
tal imperfection, nor any malady except that which may
arise from the state of the teeth.
Foul teeth are certainly ugly, and those who make no at-
tempt to keep their teeth clean undoubtedly betray great
negligence of character ; and may, without injustice, be sus-
pected of not possessing a taste for cleanliness or delicacy.
Well arranged teeth are justly esteemed a beauty, and
irregular teeth a deformity ; but it is a deformity which is
produced by physical and not by mental causes.
The general causes of the irregularities of the teeth have
it
already been pointed out in the chapter on that subject ;
would, therefore, be superfluous to repeat them.*
It has also been remarked that the si* of the teeth de-
pends on the ossific matter deposited for their formation ;
their size must consequently be determined long before the
actions of the passions of the mind begin to develope them-
selves ; and hence it is evident that the mind cannot influence
the length or breadth of the teeth. The size and shape
of the teeth cannot therefore, be a more just criterion by
which to judge of the mental qualities of individuals, than
the variations of personal height or circumference.
In the glowing pages of the philosophic Herder are many
observations upon the physiognomy of the teeth ; but they
-
are founded as much in error as those of Lavater. Neither
Lavater, Herder, nor any of the physiognomists, seem to have
been acquainted with the physiology of the teeth ; their ob-
servations should however, by no means, be disregarded
they tend to prove the importance of good, clean, and even
