All which with many respective Niceties, in order unto parts, sides, and veines, are now become of less consideration, by the new and noble doctrine of the circulation of the blood. And therefore _Macrobius_ discussing the point, hath alleadged another reason; affirming that the gestation of _Rings_ upon this Hand and _Finger_, might rather be used for their conveniency and preservation, then any cordial relation. For at first (saith he) it was both free and usual to wear _Rings_ on either Hand; but after that luxury encreased, when pretious gems and rich insculptures were added, the custom of wearing them on the right Hand was translated unto the left; for that Hand being less imployed, thereby they were best preserved. And for the same reason they placed them on this _Finger_; for the _Thumb_ was too active a _Finger_, and is commonly imployed with either of the rest: the Index or fore-_Finger_ was too naked whereto to commit their pretiosities, and hath the tuition of the _Thumb_ scarce unto the second joint: the middle and little _Finger_ they rejected as extreams, and too big or too little for their _Rings_, and of all chose out the fourth, as being least used of any, as being guarded on either side, and having in most this peculiar condition, that it cannot be extended alone and by itself, but will be accompanied by some _Finger_ on either side. And to this opinion assenteth _Alexander ab Alexandro_, _Annulum nuptialem prior ætas in sinistrâ ferebat, crediderim ne attereretur_. Now that which begat or promoted the common opinion, was the common conceit that the Heart was seated on the left side; but how far this is verified, we have before declared. The _Egyptian_ practice hath much advanced the same, who unto this _Finger_ derived a Nerve from the Heart; and therefore the Priest anointed the same with precious oyls before the Altar. But how weak _Anatomists_ they were, which were so good Embalmers, we have already shewed. And though this reason took most place, yet had they another which more commended that practice: and that was the number whereof this _Finger_ was an Hieroglyphick. For by holding down the fourth _Finger_ of the left Hand, while the rest were extended, they signified the perfect and magnified number of six. For as _Pierius_ hath graphically declared, Antiquity expressed numbers by the _Fingers_ of either Hand: on the left they accounted their digits and articulate numbers unto an hundred; on the right Hand hundreds and thousands; the depressing this _Finger_, which in the left Hand implied but six, in the right indigitated six hundred. In this way of numeration, may we construe that of _Juvenal_ concerning _Nestor_, ----_Qui per tot sæcula mortem Distulit, atque suos jam dextrâ computat annos._ And however it were intended, in this sense it will be very elegant what is delivered of Wisdom, _Prov._ 3. Length of daies is in her right Hand, and in her left Hand riches and honour.