A GRAND DANCE. 
293 
1851.] 
plete the preparation of the caxiri. In the forenoon 
they were busy weeding all round the malocca, and 
sprinkling water, and sweeping within it. The women 
were bringing in dry wood for the fires, and the young 
men were scattered about in groups, plaiting straw coro- 
nets or arranging some other parts of their ornaments. 
In the afternoon, as I came from the forest, I found se- 
veral engaged in the operation of painting, which others 
had already completed. The women had painted them- 
selves or each other, and presented a neat pattern in 
black and red all over their bodies, some circles and 
curved lines occurring on their hips and breasts, while 
on their faces round spots of a bright vermilion seemed 
to be the prevailing fashion. The juice of a fruit which 
stains of a fine purplish-black is often poured on the 
back of the head and neck, and, trickling all down the 
back, produces what they no doubt consider a very 
elegant dishabille. These spotted beauties were now 
engaged in performing the same operation for their hus- 
bands and sweethearts, some standing, others sitting, 
and directing the fair artists how to dispose the lines 
and tints to their liking. 
We prepared our supper rather early, and about sun- 
set, just as we had finished, a messenger came to notify 
to us that the dance had begun, and that the Tushaua 
had sent to request our company. We accordingly at 
once proceeded to the malocca, and entering the private 
apartment at the circular end, were politely received by 
the Tushaua, who was dressed in his shirt and trow- 
sers only, and requested us to be seated in maqueiras. 
After a few minutes’ conversation I turned to look at 
