Lewin (41) describes the typical betel morsel as composed basically 
of areca nut, a betel leaf and burnt lime about the size of a pea. “‘In 
inveterate betel-chewers who do not keep themselves very clean,’’ 
he says, ‘‘a crust, mainly consisting of calcium carbonate, is formed 
in the course of time on the teeth and gums. In the Admiralty Is- 
lands, the formation of this ‘tooth-stone’ is regarded as an attribute 
of the dignity of chief, for only the very rich are in a position to in- 
dulge so freely in chewing as to produce such quantities of ‘tooth- 
stone’. When the mouth is closed, these dental excrescences protrude 
from between the lips like the point of a black tongue.’”’ 
Considering the proportion of lime in betel and its apparent result, 
it may be useful to note that the plant ash used in the Witoto and 
Kogi tobacco concentrate contains lime—but obviously not in the 
amount found in betel and coca preparations. 
Perhaps these generalities are justified: Tobacco seems to be re- 
sponsible for stained teeth, while lime seems to form a black crust. 
In both cases, lack of cleanliness is a secondary factor. Furthermore, 
in the case of chim6é and betel, black or dark teeth may be a source 
of prestige. 
There are many instances of deliberate tooth-blackening among 
primitive peoples. Whiffen (68) cites the case of Issa women of the 
Amazon who cover their teeth and fingernails with black pigment. 
Humboldt (386) describes the Chaymas of northern Venezuela who 
blacken the teeth “‘from the age of fifteen by the juices of certain 
herbs and caustic lime’’. He states that the leaves of a tree resem- 
bling the myrtle are used and that the presence of lime is significant. 
Various reasons for tooth-blackening are given by those who prac- 
tice the custom: e.g. that it protects the teeth and prevents tooth- 
ache, but most investigators regard these as excuses or evasions. 
Humboldt (36) writes: ““I doubt much whether the custom. . . was 
originally suggested, as Gomara supposed, by absurd notions of 
beauty, or was practiced with the view of preventing the toothache’’. 
In all probability, tooth-blackening originally had a religious and 
ceremonial context which became secularized and non-ceremonial as 
traditional customs were altered by tribal contacts with Europeans. 
15. ‘‘Tabaco en la vejiga.’’ This phrase means literally ““tobacco 
in the bladder’’, referring to the bladder of a bull, used as a pouch 
for chewing tobacco by the cowboys of the Venezuelan plains (//aneros). 
Mendoza (44) equates the possession of such a pouch full of chewing 
tobacco with a man’s characteristics of courage, vigor and virility. 
The expression is used all over Venezuela in this sense. 
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