Advancing (ad). When the hand being first moved downwards and backwards in order to obtain greater space for action, is then moved regularly forwards and raised as high as the horizontal position, a step being at the same time made in advance to aid the action, as in the figure in the Miser and Plutus. No. 4.

Springing. (sp). When the hand having nearly arrived at the intended limit of the gesture, flies suddenly up to it by a quick motion of the wrist; like the blade of a pocket knife, when it suddenly and decidedly snaps into its proper situation by the recoil of the spring.

Fig. 94. Striking (st). When the whole fore arm and the hand along with it descend from a higher elevation rapidly, and with a degree of force like a stroke which is arrested, when it has struck what it is aimed against.

Fig. 95. Recoiling (rc). When after a stroke as in the former gesture, the arm and hand return back to the position from whence they proceeded.

Throwing (th). When the arm, by the force of the gesture, is flung as it were in the direction of the person addressed.

Clinching (cl). When the hand being held forth prone or supine, and the arm moderately extended, the hand is suddenly

28 Nonnunquam resilit vel negantibus nobis vel admirantibus. Quint. Bur. p. 1021.

clinched, and the arm raised and contracted in a position of threatening or contempt; as in Fig. 26 of the Miser and Plutus ; or in Fig. 95. Supposing the dotted lines to have been the first position of the arm, and supposing both hands to be clinched in the position represented.

Collecting (ll). When the arm from an extended position sweeps inwards.

Shaking (sh). When a tremulous motion is made by the arm and hand.

Pressing (pr). When the hand already laid on some part, the effort of pressing is marked by raising the elbow and contracting the fingers.

Many other gestures may be named and marked by proper notation, as occasion may require: these will suffice as a specimen of some of the most usual in this class. If, with what has been already explained concerning the elevation and transverse positions of the arm, the different classes of gestures of the hand now explained be combined, the result will be a very comprehensive system of gesture, capable of recording distinctly most of the necessary circumstances observable in the positions and motions of the arms and hands.

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CHAPTER XIV.

OF THE HEAD, THE EYES, THE SHOULDERS AND THE BODY.

Quintilian's directions respecting the positions and motions of the headObservations of Cresollius-The most usual positions of the head and expressions of the eyes with the notation-Motions of the body from Quintilian.