EXPEDITION TO SURINAM. 



385 



them called cojowee-, and by the Dutch or lean. The CHAP. 



feeds of the arnotta being macerated in the juice of 



lemon, and mixed with water, and gum that exudes 

 from the 77iawna tree, or with the oil of caftor, com- 

 pofes a fcarlet paint, with which all the Indians anoint 

 their bodies, and even the men their hair, which gives 

 their fkin the appearance of a boiled lobfter ; they alfo 

 rub their naked bodies with caraba or crab-oil. This, it 

 muft be allowed, is extremely ufeful in fcorching cli- 

 mates, where the inhabitants of both fexes go almoft 

 naked. One day, laughing at a young man who came 

 from the neighbourhood of Cayenne, he anfwered 

 me in French, faying, " My ficin, fir, is kept foft, too 

 " great perfpiration is prevented, and the mufquitoes do 

 " not fting me as they do you : befides its beauty, this 

 " is the ufe of my painting red. Now what is the rea- 

 " fon of your painting white?" [meaning powder in the 

 hair] You are, without any reafon, wafting your flour, 

 dirtying your coat, and making yourfelf look grey be- 

 " fore your time." 



Thefe Indians alfo make ufe of a deep purple blue, 

 which they call tapowrtpa ; but this is purely for or- 

 nament, and is abfolutely indelible for about nine 

 days. It is the juice of a fruit in fize like a fmall apple 

 that grows on the lawna tree, and which is bruifed and 

 macerated in water. With this thefe people make figures 

 on their faces, and all over their bodies, refembling hie- 

 roglyphicks, like thofe that were, a few years fince called 

 Vol. I. 3D a la 



