C 577 ] 
which always grow in great Plenty in their Gardens, 
and apply them ; beaten upon their Nails, mixing 
with them fame times a little Lime and Tuice of 
J 
Citron. This Colour lafts a great while upon the 
Skin, on account of Sweating. A ftrong Deco&ion 
of the Leaves in Water is fometimes ufed to tinge 
their Nails, but more generally their Skin and Hair. 
There is Reafon to believe, that this pretended 
beautifying of the Skin, the Hair and Nails, which 
long Cuftom has eftablifhed among the Eaftern Na- 
tions, owes its Origin to a quite different Principle 
than that of beautifying. The Ancients had no other 
View in the Beginning, than the Prevention of pru- 
riginous and'leprbtis Diforders in the Skin, to which 
their Climate fubje&ed them, as well as to preferve 
them from Vermin, as the Leaves of Cyprus have 
that Property. But as in ufing Baths with thefe 
Leaves therein, they dyed their Skin either red or 
yellow, according to the Preparation, they accuf- 
tomed themfelves to this Colour by degrees, and 
afterwards regarded it as a falutary Embellifhment. 
Thefe Baths, which there are conftantly employed 
for the Cleanlinefs and Health of the Skin, and 
which the Neceflity of ufing has eftablifhed as a 
Point of Religion, and a Duty, for the better Pre- 
vention of thefe Maladies, is certainly a true Me- 
thod to preferve as well the Body as the Skin in a 
good State. Thefe good Effetts are extended fur- 
ther by ufing the Alcanna ; becaufe its Colour, paf- 
fing in the Opinion of thefe People for a neceflary 
Ornament, and a Mark of Cleanlinefs, makes the 
Practice of bathing better obferved. 
