The text discusses the diversity in human facial expressions and features, highlighting how they differ vastly among many individuals despite living simultaneously. It contrasts this diversity with the lack of such variation in animals, explaining that emotions and imaginations play a significant role. The passage also touches on the belief that a mother's physical and emotional state can imprint on her unborn child.
Facial Observation, Progeny, and
It is extremely necessary to be able to distinguish them from each other to prevent one from being mistaken for the other: Yet it remains remarkable that among so many hundreds of thousands of people living at the same time, there are so many different expressions and views in the faces of people. This diversity is so great that it can only be broken down into two categories or conceived as such according to our thoughts which are endless. Even if the temperament of a being seems to coincide by chance or inheritance, when they are brought together, they are not exactly the same and are noticeably distinguishable. Although there are some historical accounts and tales in the world that want to establish the contrary, we must reason with full conviction. It becomes evident that the distinctive nature of the expressions is not found in animals. Various explanations have been given. Undoubtedly, many differing imaginations and emotions contribute to the form and strength in pregnant women: and it is hardly believable how strongly the shapes of the mother, thoughtfully considered, can imprint the developing fetus; so much so that nature often forgets its own work. All these thoughts and inclinations, unlike what is found in animals, lead to the understanding that similar types are very alike and not just differentiated by their size, color, and markings.
Translation Notes: 'Sweming' could be interpreted as temperament or expression rather than 'movement'.