An opinion there is, which magnifies the fourth _Finger_ of the left Hand; presuming therein a cordial relation, that a particular vessel, nerve, vein or artery is conferred thereto from the heart, and therefore that especially hath the honour to bear our Rings. Which was not only the Christian practice in Nuptial contracts, but observed by Heathens, as _Alexander ab Alexandro_, _Gellius_, _Macrobius_ and _Pierius_ have delivered, as _Levinus Lemnius_ hath confirmed, who affirms this peculiar vessel to be an artery, and not a Nerve, as Antiquity hath conceived it; adding moreover that _Rings_ hereon peculiarly affect the Heart; that in Lipothymies or swoundings he used the frication of this _Finger_ with saffron and gold: that the ancient Physitians mixed up their Medicines herewith; that this is seldom or last of all affected with the Gout, and when that becometh nodous, Men continue not long after. Notwithstanding all which we remain unsatisfied, nor can we think the reasons alleadged sufficiently establish the preheminency of this _Finger_. For first, Concerning the practice of Antiquity, the custom was not general to wear their _Rings_ either on this hand or _Finger_; for it is said, and that emphatically in _Jeremiah_, _Si fuerit Jeconias filius Joachim regis Judæ annulus in manu dextrâ meâ, inde evallam eum_: Though _Coniah_ the son of _Joachim_ King of _Judah_, were the signet on my right Hand, yet would I pluck thee thence. So is it observed by _Pliny_, that in the portraits of their Gods, the _Rings_ were worn on the _Finger_ next the _Thumb_; that the _Romans_ wore them also upon their little Finger, as _Hero_ is described in _Petronius_; some wore them on the middle _Finger_, as the ancient _Gaules_ and _Britans_; and some upon the fore-_Finger_, as is deduceable from _Julius Pollux_: who names that _Ring_ Corionos. [Sidenote: _Rings anciently of Iron._] Again, That the practice of the ancients, had any such respect of cordiality or reference unto the Heart, will much be doubted, if we consider their Rings were made of iron; such was that of _Prometheus_, who is conceived the first that brought them in use. So, as _Pliny_ affirmeth, for many years the _Senators_ of _Rome_ did not wear any Rings of Gold; but the slaves wore generally Iron Rings until their manumission or preferment to some dignity. That the _Lacedemonians_ continued their Iron Rings unto his daies, _Pliny_ also delivereth, and surely they used few of Gold; for beside that _Lycurgus_ prohibited that mettal, we read in _Athenæus_, that having a desire to guild the face of _Apollo_, they enquired of the Oracle where they might purchase so much Gold; and were directed unto _Crœsus_ King of _Lydia_.