CUSTOMS. 245 



produced by handling a frog, and which 

 the application alluded to, entirely removes. 



The next I shall remark is their blacking 

 their eye lids \vith powdered antimony:* 

 this custom, must be of great antiquity, as 

 it is mentioned in the bible, f It produces a 

 strange contrast to the whites of their eyes, 

 which arc exceedingly clear. This, also, 

 I conceive not to have been first used for 

 ornament, but to cure or prevent the op)t 

 thalmia tarsi, and it is one of the best reme- 

 dies I know for it. 



Again, females, after they attain a certain 

 age, or get married, use an application to 

 stain their teeth black. This, I also believe, 

 was, and is used to destroy the tartar, and 



* The Hindoostanee name for Antimony is Surmeh^ 

 but they often sell a sulphuret of lead in the bazars, 

 under the same name and I believe many Gentlemen's 

 horses have been destroyed by taking it, instead of anti- 

 mony. 



f Ezekiel Chap. 23rd. V. 40. 

 I! 3 



