230 COOK'S VOYAGE TO FEB. 



fasten it on the breast with the other part, which 

 covers the body ; and about the belly, it is again 

 tied with a girdle made of mat. Sometimes thev 

 cover it with large feathers of birds (which seem to 

 be wrought into the piece of cloth when it is made), 

 or with dog-skin; and that alone we have seen worn 

 as a covering. Over this garment, many of them 

 wear mats, which reach from the shoulders to near 

 the heels. But the most common outer-covering is 

 a quantity of the above sedgy plant, badly dressed, 

 which they fasten on a string to a considerable length, 

 and, throwing it about the shoulders, let it fall down 

 on all sides, as far as the middle of the thighs. When 

 they sit down with this upon them, either in their 

 boats, or upon the shore, it would be difficult to dis- 

 tinguish them from large grey stones, if their black 

 heads, projecting beyond their coverings, did not 

 engage one to a stricter examination. 



By way of ornament, they fix in their heads 

 feathers, or combs of bone, or wood, adorned with 

 pearl shell, or the thin inner skin of some leaf. And 

 in the ears, both of men and women, which are 

 pierced, or rather slit, are hung small pieces of jasper, 

 bits of cloth, or beads when they can get them. A 

 few also have the septum of the nose bored in its 

 lower part; but no ornament was worn there that we 

 saw; though one man passed a twig through it, to 

 show us that it was sometimes used for that purpose. 

 They wear long beards, but are fond of having them 

 shaved. 



Some are punctured or stained in the face with 

 curious spiral and other figures, of a black or deep blue 

 colour; but it is doubtful whether this be ornamental, 

 or intended as a mark of particular distinction; and 

 the women, who are marked so, have the puncture 

 only on their lips, or a small spot on their chins. 

 Both sexes often besmear their faces and heads with 

 a red paint, which seems to be a martial ochre mixed 

 with grease; and the women sometimes wear neck- 



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