T ravels in North Jmerical 235 



them from the Cold, renders them lefs fenfible of the other In- 

 juries of the Air, and frees them from the Perfecution of the 

 (înats. But it is only in the Countries poffefTed by the Englijhy 

 efpecially in Virgima^ that the Cuftom of pricking themfelves 

 all over the Body is very common. In iV^xu France thegreateft 

 Part are fatisfied with fome Figures of Birds, Serpents, or other 

 Animak, and even of Leaves, and .fuch-like Figures, without 

 Order or Symmetry, but according to everyone's Fancy, often 

 in the Face, and fometimes €ven on the Eye-lids. Many Wo- 

 men are marked in the Parts of the Face that anfwer to the Jaw 

 Bones, to prevent theTooth-ach. 



This Operation is not painful in itfelf. It is performed in 

 this Manner : They begin by tracing on the Skin, drawn very 

 tight, the Figure they intend to make ; then they prick little 

 Holes clofe together with the Fins of a Filh, or with Needles, 

 ail over thefe Traces, fo as to draw Blood : Then they rub them 

 over with Charcoal Duft, and other Colours well ground and 

 powdered. Thefe Powders fmk into the Skin, and the Colours 

 are never eiFaced : But foon after the Skin fwells, and forms a 

 Kind of Scab, accompanied with Inflammation. It commonly 

 excites a Fever ; and if the Weather is too hot, or the Opera- 

 tion has been carried too far, there is Hazard of Life. 



The Colours with which they paint their Faces, and the 

 Honjij and ujh ^^^^^ ^^^7 themfelves with all over 

 he ^"^aift their ^^^^^ -^^^^^^^ produce the fame Advajitages, 

 ey pat?i ezr ^^^^ thefe People fancy, give the fame 

 good Appearance, as pricking. The War- 

 riors paint themfelves, when they take the Field, to intimidate 

 their Enemies, perhaps alfo to hide their Fear ; for we muft not 

 think they are all exempt from it. The young People do it to 

 conceal an Air of Youth, which v/ould make them lefs taken for 

 old Soldiers, or a Palenefs remaining after fome Diilemper, and 

 which they are apprehenfive might be taken for the Eifeâ: of 

 Want of Courage: They do it alfo to make them look handfome ; 

 but then the Colours are more lively, and more varied. They 

 paint the Prifoners that are going to die ; but I don't know 

 why : Perhaps it is to adorn the Vidim, who is to be facrificed 

 to che God of Wai*. Laftly, they paint the Dead, to expofe 

 them drefied in their Kneft Robes ; and this is, without Doubt, 

 to hide the Palenefs of Death, which disfigures them. 



The Colours they ufe on thefe Occafions are the fame they em- 

 rhP Qrnamenu pW Skins, and they make them from 



f 1 ji'^''^'^'''^' certain Earths, and the Bark of fome Trees. 

 oj the men. rj.^^^ ^^^^ MYcly^ but they do not 



very eafily wear out. The Men add to this Ornament the Down 

 of Swans or other Birds, which they Itrew upon their Hair after it 



H h 2 has 



