DISCOVERIES OF THE FRENCH. 153 
V 
pressure, both being considered as the highest pos- 
sible ornament. This report, however, differs 
from that generally given by travellers. The spe- 
cies of shirt with which they cover themselves, he 
compares to the surplice worn by the Catholic 
priests, and their bonnet to the cowl of a Capuchin 
monk. The chief embellishment is bestowed upon 
their hair, which, in the higher ranks, is entirely 
covered with ornaments of coral, gold, and glass. 
Another article most copiously worn is that of 
grisgris, or charms ; the consumption of which is 
only bounded by the means of purchase. The 
bodies of the chiefs are so encumbered with these 
defences, that they are often unable to mount on 
horseback without assistance. These grisgris, how- 
ever, in consequence of enveloping them so com- 
pletely, actually form a species of panoply against 
hostile weapons. They consist merely of pieces 
of paper, covered by the Marabouts with Arabic 
characters ; but the purchasers carefully wrap them 
in cloth, or even inclose them in cases of gold 
and silver. There are grisgris against the danger 
of drowning, — against wild beasts, — against war- 
like weapons, — against every object, in short, which 
can be a cause of dread to the human mind ; and, 
it is said that a negro, thus armed, will expose 
himself to every form of death, without the slightest 
apprehension. It may easily be supposed that, for 
the Marabouts, to whom it costs nothing, the ma- 
