TRAVELS IN 
$ 0 % 
But thefe decorations are only to be confidered 
as indulgencies on particular occafions, and the 
privilege of youth; as at weddings, feftivals, 
dances, &c., or when the men aflemble to a<fl the 
war farce, on the evening immediately preced- 
ing their march on a hoftile expedition : for 
ufually they are almoft naked, contenting them- 
felves with the flap and fometimes a fhirt, boots 
and moccafins. The mantle is feldom worn by 
the merf, except at night, in the winter feafon, 
when extremely cold ; and by the women at 
dances, when it ferves the purpofe of a veil ; and 
the females always wear the jacket, flap, and 
bufkin, even children as foon or before they can 
walk ; whereas the male youth go perfectly naked 
until they are twelve or fifteen years of age. 
The junior priefts or ftudents conftantly wear 
the mantle or robe, which is white ; and they 
have a great owl ikin cafed and fluffed very in- 
genioufly, fo well executed, as almoft to repre- 
fent the living bird, having large fparkling glafs 
beads, or buttons, fixed in the head for eyes : 
this enfign of wifdom and divination, they wear 
fometimes as a creft on the top of the head, at 
other times the image fits on the arm, or is borne 
On the hand* Thefe bachelors are alfo diftin- 
guifhable from the other people, by their tacitur- 
nity, grave and folemn countenance, dignified 
fiep, and finging to themfelves fongs or hymns, 
in a low fwcet voice, as they ftroll about the 
towns. 
Thefe people like all other nations, are fond of 
mufic and dancing : their mufic is both vocal and 
inflrumental ; but of the latter they have fcarcely 
any thing worth the name; the tambour, rattle? 
gourd, and a kind of flute, made of a joint of reed 
Of 
