IiABRETIFERY. 



Iii this connection it is worth while to draw attention to the geograph- 

 ical distribution of another practice which is not, like the use of masks, 

 world-wide, but, as far as I am at present informed, appears to be almost 

 entirely peculiar to two totally distinct ethnological regions, i. e., Cen- 

 tral Africa, which as being beyond doubt an independent center need 

 not here be further alluded to ; and America, especially the western 

 border. 1 refer to the use of labrets, which for brevity may be called 

 labretifery. 



The ravages of civilization, as dispensed by freebooters and fanatics, 

 began at so early a period on the shores of Darieu and the western 

 coast of South America that the data are most imperfect for the man- 

 ners and customs of the people in their primitive state. There are many 

 customs of which the vestiges were swept away probably within two 

 generations after the original incursion of the Spaniards, and to which 

 only the most brief and often inaccurate allusions are made in the works 

 of the earliest writers. The proper elucidation of these requires an 

 amount of search and careful study of these ancient sources which it has 

 been impossible for me to give, and the citations here may be taken 

 merely as hints to the ethnologist in search of a speciality which opens 

 an attractive vista for a thorough aud not too exuberant investigator. 

 To such I am confident the subject offers ample rewards. 



Bnlwer, in his quaint "Anthropometamorphosis," 1 has compiled from 

 many of the earlier writers an account of various methods of self- 

 mutilation for aesthetic or religious purposes affected by various nations; 

 aud among others gives several references to the practice of wearing 

 labrets, which I have, in nearly all cases, taken opportunity of verify- 

 ing from the original authorities. As Bulwer does not cite page or edi- 

 tion, and the works referred to are rarely indexed, this has been a task 

 involving much labor. The result has been to confirm his general ac- 

 curacy (barring such misprints as Pegu for Pern); hence I feel less 

 hesitation in quoting him in a few cases which I have not had oppor- 

 tunity of verifying. 



The labret, among American aborigines, is well known to be a plug, 

 stud, or variously-shaped button, made from various materials, which 

 is inserted at or about the age of puberty 2 through a hole or holes 



1 Bulwer, John. Anthropometamorphosis (etc.) 8° (or sm. 4to.), pp. 528, 15 1. uup., 

 London, W. Hunt, 1653. Illustrated. 



2 Iu some cases a small perforation is made at an earlier period, but on the appear- 

 ance of the signs of puberty it is formally enlarged, and among the northwestern tribes 



the original operation is usually deferred till that period arrives. 



7? 



