OF NATURAL HISTORY. 205 



eradicate long eftablKlied prejudices, and to difFufe more en- 

 lightened and falutnry notions through a whole country, can- 

 not be eiFetfted without a great length of time and vigorous 

 exertions. 



From what caufes or circumftances particular modes in the 

 nianagement of Infants originate, it is difficult to determine. 

 But it is certain that fivages, and ruder nations. In their treat- 

 ment of infants, often difcover more difcernmcnt, and pro- 

 priety of conduct, than are to be found in the moft polilhed 

 itages of focietv. The negroes, the favages of Canada, of 

 Virginia, of Brafll, and the natives of almofr the whole of 

 .South America, inftead of ufing fwaddllng-bands, lay their 

 infants naked into hammocks, or hanging beds of cotton, 

 or into cradles lined with fur. The Peruvians lenve the 

 arms of their infants perfeclly loofe In a kind of Avathing- 

 bug. When a little older, they are put, up to the middle, in 

 a hole dug out of the earth, and lined with linen or cotton. 

 By this contrivance, their arms and head are perfe£lly free, 

 and they can bend their bodies, and m.ove their arms and 

 head, without the finalleft danger of falling, or of receiving 

 any injury. To entice them to walk, whenever they are 

 able to fiiep, the breaft is prefented to them at a little diftance. 

 The children of negroes, when very young, cling round, 

 with their knees and legs, one of their m.other's haunches, 

 and grafp the breaft with their hands. In this poiition they 

 adhere fo firmly, that they fupport themfelves vrithout any 

 affiftance, and continue to fuck v/ithout danger of falling, 

 though the mother moves forward, or works at her ufual la« 

 hour. Thefe children, at the end of the fecond month, be- 

 gin to creep on their hands and knees ; and, in this fituation, 

 they acquire, by habit, the faculty of running with furprlfing 

 quicknefs. 



Savages are remarkably attentive to the cleanlinefs of their 



children. Though they cannot afford to change their furs 



B B 



