This text discusses the anatomy and playful uses of the fingers, naming each finger with traditional and whimsical terms. The passage mentions both practical and humorous roles of fingers, including tales of individuals with more than the usual number of digits. It reflects both scientific observation and folklore regarding extraordinary human features.
Human Limbs
The hands which are slender, and the fingers, though covered with plump and fleshy skin that is pale and vivid from paint, may pass for beautifully adorned. The fingers are also distinguished in function and in name: The front is called the Index Finger; The middle one the Shameless or Itch-Scratcher; The back one the Ring Finger; And the Little Finger or Pinky is the Ear Finger. Schoolchildren would count the fingers this way; Pinky, Golden Link, Tall Tree, Lick Finger, Louse Crusher, etc. If we were not engaged with more serious matters, we would explore various playful tricks and little arts that can be done with the fingers, and bring to life stories on the tongues of children and hobbledehoys for the day. Similarly, many tricks of hands and fingers under the help of evening light, and the shadow on a blank wall can be performed; portraying images of Hares, Rabbits, Dogs, Wolves, Sheep, flying Birds, and other such illustrative contours so perfectly that little is missed; reminding us that the art of drawing might be discovered through such method as ancient wisdom tells. And despite ten fingers on the hands and ten toes on the feet being the natural number; there are stories of a tall man among the Philistines, who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. There are also tales of certain mountain dwellers who have eight toes on each foot; Whose heels stand forward. These have been seen and attested to. There has long been much debate about this.
Translation Notes: 'Aars-Krabber' is translated as 'Itch-Scratcher' to capture the informal and humorous tone. 'Koot-jongens' refers to young boys.