USES OF MICA. 77 



acts as a tonic, heightens the beauty of the complexion, strengthens the body, pre- 

 vents untimely death, and removes the infirmities of age and all diseases." 1 



The Chinese also imagine that mica has certain virtues as a 

 medicine. Although the effects obtained, or imagined to be obtained, 

 in these cases, may be due to the substances administered with the 

 mica, it certainly possesses one property which cannot be claimed for 

 all medicines— it is perfectly inert and harmless. 



Two sheets of transparent mica bent like a mediaeval visor are 

 used, suspended from the front of the head-dress, as a face guard 

 whilst travelling on a fast motor car. 



1 Abhra, 1899, p. 5. 



F 2 



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