

THE MATERIAL SIDES OF LIFE 131 
likely that the custom never reached them, which would 
indicate that it did not form part of the most ancient 
stratum of culture in the islands. It fits with this view 
that the pagans of Mindanao, who have been more sub- 
ject to ancient outside influences in other respects, file 
their teeth, usually to points. Thirteenth century 
Chinese accounts speak of Negrito tribes with white 
teeth; which indicates that the more advanced coast 
dwellers were already blackening their teeth at that 
time. Both filing and blackening are at first extremely 
repellent to people not accustomed to the practice, but 
like other fashions are of course esteemed beautiful by 
the people who follow them. ~ 

