INHABITANTS OP PERU. 



289 



self on his honour, of which, according to them, he is devoid 

 of every sentiment, certainly have not studied his heart. The 

 Itucahs, in proportion as they decapitate their enemies, divide 

 the skin which covers the bridge of the nose, and by the intro- 

 du6lion of the small husks of the palm into the incised parts, 

 form warts, or excrescences, the number of which is from 

 time to time augmented, until at length they extend from the 

 space between the brows to the tip of the nose, and occasion 

 an uneven outer ridge, by which these Indians are extremely 

 disfigured. The first process they perform on the heads they 

 bring with them, is to boil them, and having stripped the 

 skin from the head and visage, it is stuffed with straw, and 

 dried in the smoke, thus forming a mask. The teeth they 

 extra6t for their collars, and the skulls they suspend as trophies 

 from the roofs of their dwellings. 



Their vi6lories are celebrated with much solemnity, in the 

 house of the captain, or cacique, on a particular day ap- 

 pointed for that purpose. For these joyous occasions a pro- 

 vision is made of a great number of jugs of masato, which are 

 placed in rows in a large saloon, having different seats, accord- 

 ing to the quality of the guests. At the appointed time all the 

 people assemble, decked with a thousand ridiculous and ex- 

 travagant inventions. 



The warriors constantly bring with them the masks which 

 have been above pointed out, and which they grasp by the 

 hair. Being assembled at the door of the banquetting-house, 

 they prepare their weapons, and having made a feint attack, 

 retire backward, as if they were repulsed : at the third assault 

 they break their ranks, and proceed to form a circle. The 

 dancing and singing now commence, the principal aim of 



P P the 



