Let us now apply ourselves to the signification of the movements of the head and eyes, the face and lips.

The Movements of the Head.

There are two sorts of movements of the head:  movements of attitude and fugitive movements.

Movements of Attitude.—­The head has nine primary attitudes, from which many others proceed.

In the normal attitude, the head is neither high nor low.

In the concentric attitude the head is lowered; this is the reflective state.

In the eccentric attitude the head is elevated; this is the vital state.

Soldiers and men of robust physique carry the head high.

Here are three genera, each of which gives three species.

The Normal State.

When the head is erect, it is passive and neutral.

The head inclining laterally toward the interlocutor indicates affection.

If in the inverse direction, opposite the interlocutor, sensualism is indicated.  This is in fact retroaction; in the first case we love the soul, in the latter the form.

The Eccentric State.

If the head bends backward it is the passional or vehement state.

The head inclined toward the interlocutor, denotes abandon, confidence.

The head turned away from the interlocutor, denotes pride, noble or base.  This is a neutral expression which says something, but not the whole.

The Concentric State.

The head lowered, that is, inclined forward, denotes the reflective state.

If the head inclines toward the interlocutor, it is veneration, an act of faith in the object we love.

If the head inclines away from the interlocutor, it is stratagem or suspicion.

All other attitudes of the head are modifications of these.  These nine attitudes characterize states, that is, sentiments, but sentiments which are fugitive.  Either of these attitudes may be affected until it becomes habitual.  But there are movements which cannot be habitually affected, which can only modify types and attitudes of the inflections of the head.  These are fugitive movements.

There are nine inflections or fugitive movements of the head:—­

1.  If a forward movement, it ends in an upright one, with elevated chin, and indicates interrogation, hope, appellation, desire.

2.  The same movement with the chin lowered, indicates doubt, resignation.

3.  A nod of the head, a forward movement, means confirmation, yes, or well.

4.  If the movement is brusque forward, it is the menace of a resolute man.

5.  The head thrown back means exaltation.

6.  If the movement is brusque backward, it is the menace of a weak man.

7.  There are rotative inflections from one shoulder to the other; this is impatience, regret.

8.  The rotary movement of the head alone signifies negation, that is no.