-2 jo Mr. M c Causland’s Obfcrvatlons on the 
recces which may at one time or another be drawn from 
alledged fads, it mu ft always be of confequence to inquire 
into the authenticity of thofe fads, how little iriterefting 
foever they may at prefen t appear. 
I will not by any means take upon me to fay that there are not 
nations of America deftitute of beards ; but ten years refidence at 
Niagara, in the midft of the Six-Nations (with frequent opportu- 
nities of feeing other nations of Indians) has convinced me, that 
they do not differ from the reft of men, in this particular 5 more 
than one European differs from another : and as this imperfedion 
.has been attributed to the Indians of North-America, equally 
nvith thofe of the reft of the Continent, I am much inclined to 
think, that this affertiou is as void of foundation in one region 
as it is in the other. 
All the Indians of North-America (except a very fmali 
number, who, from living among white people, have adopted 
their cuftoms) pluck out the hairs of the beard ; and as they 
begin this from its firft appearance, it muft naturally be fup- 
poled, that to a fuperficial obferver their faces will feem 
fmooth and beardlefs. As further proof that they have beards, 
we may obferve, firft, that they all have an inftrument for the 
purpofe of plucking them out. Secondly, that when they 
negled this for any time, feveral hairs fprout up, and are feen 
upon the chin and face. Thirdly, that many Indians allow 
tufts of hair to grow upon their chins or upper lips, refembling 
thofe we fee in different nations of the old world. Fourthly, 
that feveral of the Mohocks, Delawares, and others, who 
live amongft white people, fometimes {have with razors, and 
fometimes pluck their beards out. Thefe are fads which are 
notorious amongft the Army, Indian-Traders, &c. ; and which 
are 
o 
