310 Mr Meikle on the Theory of Parallel Lin£s. 



Sound, gave them freely,* regardless of the inconvenience of 

 the saliva that flowed through the badly cicatrized orifice 

 over the chin, but rather laughed when one revolted at the 

 sight, and delighted in thrusting the tongue through the 

 evening, at the same time, that they winked the eyes. Nor 

 are they particular what they substitute for the labrets. One 

 man, we are informed by Captain Cook, appeared before him 

 with two iron nails projecting from them, like prongs ; and 

 another endeavoured to make a large brass button answer the 

 purpose of a labret.t Through the septum of the nose, awls, 

 and large cod-fish hooks are thrust, and the women appro- 

 priate ear-rings and thimbles as decorations to their dress. J 

 The perforations are made at the age of manhood, by an in- 

 cision sufficiently large to admit a quill, about half an inch 

 below the corners of the mouth, which has the effect of de- 

 pressing the under lip, and keeping the mouth open.§ The 

 orifice is enlarged from year to year, until it reaches half an 

 inch in diameter ; and in more advanced years, is not unfre- 

 quently of a much larger size. Captain Beechy obtained 

 from a native of Schismareff Inlet a finely polished jade 

 that was three inches in length by an inch and a half in 

 width. For some time after the operation has been perform- 

 ed, it is necessary to turn the cylindrical pieces of ivory 

 frequently, that they may not adhere to the festering flesh. 

 In time, this action becomes as habitual to them, as that of 

 turning the mustaches is to a Mussulman. J 



On the Theory of Parallel Lines. By Hekrt Meecle, 

 Esq. A.M. Communicated by the Author. 



During the long succession of ages which have elapsed since the origin 

 *<tf geometry, many attempts have been made and treatises written^ 

 though with little success, to demonstrate the important theorem which 

 Euclid, having failed to prove, has styled his 12th Axiom, and which 

 is nearly equivalent to assuming that the three angles of every triangle 

 amount to two right angles. Among the more distinguished and ex- 



•• Codk, Beechy. t Gook. % Franklin, 



§ Franklin. H Bwchy. 



