jCh. V. SOUTH AMERICA. 267 



but the flioes are what chiefly diftinguifh tliem from 

 the common Indians. 



The men, both Creoles and Spaniards, are well 

 made, of a proper ftature, and of a lively and agree- 

 able countenance. The Meftizos in general are alfo 

 well made, often taller than the ordinary fize, very 

 robuft, and have an agreeable air. The Indians, 

 both men and women, are generally low, but well pro- 

 portioned, and very ftrong; though more natural de- 

 fects are to be obferved among them than in the other 

 clafles of the human fpecies : fome are remarkably 

 fliort, fome ideots, dumb and blind, and others de- 

 ficient in fome of their limbs. Their hair is gene- 

 rally thick and long, which they wear loofe on their 

 Iboulders, never tying or tucking it up, even when 

 they go to fleep. But the Indian Women plait theirs 

 behind with ribband, and the part before they cut a 

 little above the eye-brows from one ear to another 5 

 which form of hair they call urcu, and are fo fond of 

 this natural ornament, that the greateft aflront pof- 

 fible to be offered to an Indian of either fex, is cut off 

 their hair for whatever corporal punifhment their 

 matters think proper to infli£l on them, they bear 

 v^ith a dutiful tranquillity ; but this is a difgrace they 

 never forgive; and accordingly it was found necef- 

 fary for the government to interpole, and limit this 

 punifhment to the mofl enormous crimes. The co- 

 lour of their hair is generally a deep black ; it is lank, 

 harfh, and coarfe as that of horfes. The Meftizos, 

 on the other hand, by way of diflinguifhing them- 

 felves from the Indians, cut off their hair ; but 

 the women do not in this refped: follow the ex- 

 ample of their hufbands. The Indians have no 

 beard; and the greateft alteration occafioned by- their 

 arriV'ing at the years of maturity, is only a few ilrag- 

 gling hairs on the chin, but fo fhort and thin, as ne- 

 ver to require the aiTiftance of the razor j nor have 



either 



