Cap. IX* The Canbby4 (lands. Z55 



participate of that commendation, for they were wont to co- 

 ver themfelves when they came to be marriageable, and fo- 

 lemnized that aftion with great rejoicing : But now that cu-' 

 ftome is abrogated, for that poor Nation hath been utterly de- 

 ftroy'd by the Spaniards, orcarryed away and made flaves to 

 work in t he Mines, and there are not in any of the Iflands 

 known under that name, any of the natural Inhabitants, but 

 only fomefew Englijh who were tranfported thither out of the 

 Ifland of Bermudez. But come we to the Ornaments of our 

 Savages. 



They change their natural colour by dying their bodies with 

 fome compofition which makes them red all over.* For living 

 neer Rivers and Springs, the firft thing they do every morn- 

 ing is to go and warn themfelves all over: And this was the 

 practice of the ancient Germans,, as Tacitus affirms. Affoon as Lib.de mor., 

 the CaribbiaKs have wafrYd themfelves, they return to their ^ ernian ' 

 houfes, and drie themfelves by a little fire 5 being dry'd, the 

 Wife, or fome one of the houfhold takes a gourd full of a cer- 

 tain red compofition which they call Roncou, from the name of 

 the tree which produces it, and whereof we have given an ac- 

 count in its proper place in the precedent Book : With this 

 colour mixt with oil, they rub the whole body and the face 5 

 the better to apply this paint, they make ufe .of a fpunge in- 

 ftead of a Pencil 5 and to appear more gallant, they many 

 times make black circles about the eyes, with the juice of Ju- 

 mp a Apples. 



This red painting ferves them both for Ornament and for a 

 Covering *, for befides the Beauty they imagine to themfelves 

 therein, they affirm that it makes them morefupple and adive 5 

 which may be the more likely to be true, for that the ancient 

 Wreftlers were wont to rub themfelves with oil for the fame 

 end.* They affirm further. That by rubbing themfelves thus 

 with Roucon, they fecure themfelves againft the coldnefs of the 

 night and rains, the flinging of the Mefquitos and the Marin- 

 goins, and the heat of the Sun, which otherwife would caufe 

 rifings and ulcers in the skin.- This Un&ion hardens their skins;, 

 and withal gives it an extraordinary luftre and fmoothnefs, as 

 all know who have feen and felt them. 



Moft Savages do thus paint and trick up themfelves after a 

 ftrange manner •, but they do not all ufe the fame colours, nor 

 obferve the fame fafhion : For there are fome who paint their 

 Bodies all red, as our Inhabitants of the Caribbies do as for This is af- 

 inftance, thofe of the Cape de Lopes Gonfahez, •, but others make firmed by di~ 

 ufe of other colours, as Black, White, Cheftnut, Gingioline, vers Hiftori- 

 Blew, Yellow, and the like. Some ufe only one particular co- anS - 

 lour \ others paint themfelves with feveral colours, and re pre- 

 fent divers figures on their bodies : Some others, without apply- 

 ing any colour, rub themfelves all over with the oil of Palm- 

 trees : 



