OP NORTH CAROLINA. 281 



fills the pores and enables them better to enclnre 

 the extremity of the weather. They are never 

 bald on their heads, althongh never so old, whicli, 

 I believe, proceeds from their heads being always 

 uncovered, and the greasing their hair, so often 

 as they do, Avith bear's fat, which is a great noiir- 

 isher of the hair, and causes it to grow very fast. 

 Amongst the bear's oil, when they intend to be 

 fine, they mix a certain red powder, that comes 

 from a scarlet root which they get in the hilly 

 country, near the foot of the great ridge of moun- 

 tains, and it is no where else to be found. They 

 have this scarlet root in great esteem, and sell it 

 for a very great price one to another. The reason 

 of its value is, because they not only go a long vv^ay 

 for it but are in great danger of the iSinnagers or 

 Iroquois, who are mortal enemies to all our In- 

 dians, and very often take them captives or kill 

 them before they return from this voj^ago. The 

 Tuskeruros and other Indians have often brought 

 this seed with them from the mountains ; but it 

 would never grow in our land. With this and 

 bear's grease they anoint their heads and temples, 

 which is esteemed as ornamental, as sweet powder 

 to our hair. Besides, this root has the virtue of 

 killing lice, and suficrs none to abide or breed in 

 their heads. For want of this root, they some- 

 times usepecoon root, which is of a crimson color, 

 but it is apt to die the hair of an ugl}" hue. 



Their eyes are commonly full and manly, and 

 their gate sedate and mnjestic. They never walk 



