246 INDIAN 



preserve the teeth and gums, which it cer- 

 tainly does. The time of life at which they 

 first begin to use it, is when tartar collects 

 most, and were it used solely for ornament, 

 the young would all have their teeth black, 

 which none of them ever have. This appli- 

 cation is called " Micee" and what it is com- 

 posed of, I cannot say; whatever it is, it 

 destroys the tartar, hardens the gums, and 

 makes the teeth of a jet black, without 

 destroying the enamel. 



The next custom I shall notice, is their 

 chewing pawn, which is a betle leaf enclos- 

 ing a small quantity of areca nut, Cardamom 

 seeds, a clove, some gum: Rub: Astring: 

 and a small portion of lime. The poorer 

 people use it without spices. This is uni- 

 versally chewed both by men and women, 

 and is offered to all strangers, as a compli- 

 ment. It is a fine aromatic, acts as a 

 stimulus to the fauces and stomach, and 

 sweetens the breath. It causes the saliva to 

 flow, and reddens the mouth, giving it an 

 appearance not pleasing to Europeans. 



