278 The Natural Historic 



different Statures as the Europeans are, but chiefly inclined 

 to be tall, are very streight and neat limb'd as are to be met 

 with in any part of the World, they never bend forwards or 

 stoop in the Shoulders, except they are much over powered 

 with old Age, as for their Legs and Feet they are as well 

 proportioned and as handsome, as any in the World. They 

 are of a strong hale Constitution, and their Bodies very 

 streight, but a little flat, which is occasioned by their being 

 laced or tyed hard down upon a board in their Infancy, this 

 being all their Cradle, which I shall describe in another 

 place. 



Their Eyes are full and Manly, and of a black or dark 

 Hazel colour, the White marbled with Red Strakes, which is 

 always common amongst these People, unless they have 

 either a white Father or Mother. 



Their Colour is Tawny, which wou'd not be so dark did 

 they not daub themselves so often with Bears-Oil, and a 

 Colour like Burnt-Corh, which they practice from their In- 

 fancy, and continue so to do most part of their lives, it fills 

 up the pores, and enables them the better to endure the 

 Weather, and prevents most sorts of Insects and Vermin to 

 be any wise troublesome to them. They are never to be met 

 with Heads bald, though very Old, which I am perswaded is 

 occasioned by their Heads being always uncovered, and 

 greasing their Hair and other Parts so often as the do with 

 Bears-fat, which undoubtedly is a great nourisher of the 

 Hair, and causeth it to grow so very fast. Amongst the 

 Bears Oil (when they intend to be fine) they mix a certain 

 red Powder that is produced from a kind of Scarlet Root ihat 

 they get in the Hilly Country, near the foot of the great 

 ridge of Mountains, and as it is reported by them, is no 

 where else to be found. They have this Scarlet Root in great 

 Esteem, and sell it at a great Price one to another, and the 



Reason 



