within a border with whose proportions those of the figure do not correspond. The proportions of the border are effective even at right angles to those of the figure, and even though they are not observed by the subject. This suggests that possibly the outlines of the field of vision may influence the choice. Perhaps for this reason, ellipses are more pleasing than rectangles or circles. 2. Every figure is judged as a result of certain movements of the eyes. These may change or modify the effectiveness of the border of the field of vision, and their extent and direction may themselves be determinative of thc sthetic judgment. The eyes naturally prefer to move from left to right rather than from right to left; up rather than down. Normally the base in vertical direction, or the centre in horizontal, is taken as the point of departure for the eye movements with which we view the figure; likewise the left side rather than the right, a horizontal rather than a vertical line, and a vertical rather than an oblique. But peculiarities in the structure of the figure may change the structure of the figure may change the natural arrangement of these movement and enforce others. A vertical line will be viewed from the bottom upward; but if a heavy horizontal line be drawn at right angles to the upper end, the eyes will first seize upon it and then be forced to move downwards to get the whole line. The importance