64 PHEA KAM MAKES 



But always on formal occasions, even in the jungle 

 edge, the betel-nut chewer carries his box for the 

 freely flowing juice that stains the teeth a deep 

 red, which, among the better class, with care and 

 attention becomes a highly polished black. And 

 this is true even of Siam's most enlightened classes, 

 whom contact with the outside world appears not 

 to win from the betel-nut and discolored teeth. In 

 Bangkok I talked with one of royal blood and his 

 wife, both of whom had lived several years in 

 England, yet the teeth of each were black as ebony, 

 and the woman frankly expressed her disgust at 

 the white teeth of foreigners. Dogs and other four 

 footed animals she declared have white teeth. 

 Blessed is contentment ! 



The betel-nut boxes are to the Siamese what 

 toilet articles are to the Occidental— a necessity 

 made ornamental ; for just as one of us may take 

 pride in the pattern and workmanship of the 

 dressing table equipment, so the Siamese search for 

 the unusual in design and quality, and possess with 

 frank pleasure the series of little boxes which may 

 range from plain brass to handsomely carved sil- 

 ver, or even to gold. And you can learn the Sia- 

 mese social scale by a study of these boxes. As the 

 Mexican will unhesitatingly put his last dollar into 

 a wondrously and valuably ornamented bridle or 

 saddle, or hat, so the betel-nut boxes of the Sia- 



