19. A conceit there is, that the Devil commonly appeareth with a cloven hoof; wherein although it seem excessively ridiculous, there may be somewhat of truth; and the ground thereof at first might be his frequent appearing in the shape of a Goat, which answers that description. This was the opinion of ancient Christians concerning the apparition of Panites, Fauns and Satyres; and in this form we read of one that appeared unto _Antony_ in the wilderness. The same is also continued from expositions of holy Scripture; for whereas it is said, [SN: Levit. 17.] Thou shalt not offer unto Devils, the Original word is _Seghnirim_, that is, rough and hairy Goats, because in that shape the Devil most often appeared; as is expounded by the _Rabbins_, as _Tremellius_ hath also explained; and as the word _Ascimah_, the god of _Emath_ is by some conceived. Nor did he only assume this shape in elder times, but commonly in later dayes, especially in the place of his worship, if there be any truth in the confession of Witches, and as in many stories it stands confirmed by _Bodinus_[SN: _In his_ Dæmonomania.]. And therefore a Goat is not improperly made the Hieroglyphick of the devil, as _Pierius_ hath expressed it. So might it be the Emblem of sin, as it was in the sin-offering; and so likewise of wicked and sinful men, according to the expression of Scripture in the method of the last distribution; when our Saviour shall separate the Sheep from the Goats, that is, the Sons of the Lamb from the children of the devil. CHAPTER XXIII Of some others. 1. That temperamental dignotions, and conjecture of prevalent humours, may be collected from spots in our nails, we are not averse to concede. But yet not ready to admit sundry divinations, vulgarly raised upon them. Nor do we observe it verified in others, what _Cardan_[SN: De varietate rerum.] discovered as a property in himself: to have found therein some signs of most events that ever happened unto him. Or that there is much considerable in that doctrine of Cheiromancy, that spots in the top of the nails do signifie things past; in the middle, things present; and at the bottom, events to come. That white specks presage our felicity, blew ones our misfortunes. That those in the nail of the thumb have significations of honour, those in the forefinger, of riches, and so respectively in other fingers, (according to Planetical relations, from whence they receive their names) as _Tricassus_ hath taken up, and _Picciolus_[SN: De inspectione manus.] well rejecteth. We shall not proceed to querie, what truth there is in Palmistry, or divination from those lines in our hands, of high denomination. Although if any thing be therein, it seems not confinable unto man; but other creatures are also considerable; as is the fore-foot of the Moll, and especially of the Monkey; wherein we have observed the table line, that of life, and of the liver.