So 
A VOYAGE TO 
CHAP, cut; and in every inftance it is the fame finger that has 
IX, 
-v--^ fufFered.* 
The men are diftinguiflied in a different manner: 
• their fingers are not mutilated, but moft of them, as 
other voyagers have obferved, want the right front tooth 
in the upper jaw. Governor Phillip having remarked 
this, pointed out to them that he had himfelf loft one of 
his front teeth, which occafioned a general clamour ; and 
- ' it was thought he derived fome merit in their opinion 
from this circumftance. The perforation of the cartilage 
that divides the noftrils, and the ftrano-e disfio-urinp- or- 
nament of a long bone or flick thruft through it, vvas 
now obferved, as defcribed by Captain Cook ; and the 
fame appellation of fprii-fail y^-id, was ludicroufly applied 
to it by the failors. But feveral very old men v/ere feen in 
this excurfion who had not loft the tooth, nor had their 
iiofes prepared to receive that grotefque appendage : 
probably, therefore, thefe are marks of diftindlion : 
ambition rnuft have its badges, and where cloaths are 
not worn, the body itfeif muft be compelled to bear 
• them. 
* In Patterfon's Travels in Africa, lately publifhed, we are told, that he met 
with a tribe of Hottentots near Orange River, all of whom had loft the firft joint 
of the little finger : the reafon they gave for cutting it ofl-" was, that it was a cure 
for a particular ficknefs to which they were fubjecl when young. Fciirth youm.j, 
p. 117. It would be a curious coincidence of cuftoms fliculd it be difcovered that 
the natives cf New Holland do it for any fimilar reafon. 
Whether 
