100 THREE YEARS IN THE PACIFIC. 



ing that she had just been washing her hair in a solution or 

 suds of ^^quillai," and it had not yet dried. The quillai" 

 is the bark of the Quillaja Saponaria, Molina, a large tree 

 growing at the foot of hills, and in the mountain valleys of 

 Chile. When the bark is broken into small pieces, and infused 

 in cold water, it forms a suds similar to that of soap. With 

 this, the ladies of Chile are in the habit of washing their heads, 

 once in about ten days ; they say it preserves the scalp from 

 dandruflf ; it certainly gives the hair a very clean, glossy ap- 

 pearance. Besides, it is also useful for cleansing cloths, silks, 

 and crapes, from grease, without injuring either their texture 

 or color, and is sometimes used as a medicine. 



The ladies were very conversable, and made many inquiries 

 about the United States, the North American ladies, their 

 amusements, dress, &c. They spoke of the Peruvian ladies as 

 being distinguished for their intrigues and want of modesty, 

 and as an illustration, Dona Juana related the following anec- 

 dote. 



A Marquesa was walking towards her home one evening, 

 concealed in the peculiar dress of the country, called ^'saya 

 y manto,'^ and was spoken to by an unknown young gentle- 

 man in a cloak, who importuned her to go to a caffe and ac- 

 cept of some refreshment. She finally consented. After partak- 

 ing of ices, cakes, and costly wines, to an amount so great that 

 she thought her beau would not have money enough in his 

 purse to payj she called the host aside, (whom she knew well,) 

 and told him not to permit the gentleman to leave the house 

 till he had paid, nor to accept from him any other pledge than 

 his pantaloons ; for which service the landlord was to receive 

 a douceur. The young gentleman's purse could not cover one 

 half the amount of the charge, and mine host vowed that he 

 must have the whole before he left. The young gentleman 

 oflfered his watch in pledge, which was obstinately refused. 

 The marquesa grew impatient at the delay, and urged her 

 beau to make haste, or she would leave him. The landlord de- 

 manded the pantaloons. The young gentleman was indignant, 

 and referred the case to his fair enchantress, who, after some 

 coaxing, persuaded him to yield his pantaloons, roll his cloak 



