FEEJEE GROUP. 353 
more they pride themselves upon it, and the more they are admired 
by their countrymen. The women exhibit droll fancies in the crop- 
ping of their children’s hair, always leaving one long lock, which is 
well frizzled, and stands out from some part of the head, giving an 
uncouth appearance to the boy or girl. The hair of the men is cut 
in various shapes. Some clip it close behind, and allow it to project 
in front. Others crop it short, in a band about three inches wide, 
passing across the head from ear to ear. In general, the prevailing 
fashion is to have it cut round. They have a process by which they 
destroy the colour of their hair, and nine out of ten individuals will 
be found with some part of their hair brown or red, as it may have 
suited their fancy. They are obliged to have recourse to some solu- 
tion to destroy the quantity of vermin that infests these prodigious 
mops, so thick that no comb can possibly penetrate; and one of the 
most disgusting customs of these natives is the search after the insect, 
and sharing in the banquet that results from the hunt. One-third of the 
vermin is awarded to the searcher, and this occupation is constantly 
going on in their villages, when they are at rest. No greater insult, 
I was told, could be offered a native than to appropriate more of these 
spoils than the allotted share. It is also considered a great insult to 
search a child’s head, as that is considered entirely the father and 
mother’s perquisite. , 
Cocks’ feathers are frequently worn in their hair, and chiefs wear a 
band of hibiscus bark around their heads, in which the gay feathers 
of the paroquet are stuck with the gum of the bread-fruit tree. 
MODE OF SITTING. 
Young girls and virgins allow their hair to grow in long locks, of 
which some have many, and others but few, according to their fancy, 
and are frequently decked with flowers. Their curls are naturally 
VOL. III. 45 
