286 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
The only other colouring matter the natives ever apply 
to themselves is in the form of a dentrifice. The juice of 
a shrub, called the laingio, is rubbed on the teeth, which 
produces a deep black stain; and this, after remaining two 
or three days, is carefully washed off with water mixed 
with powdered burnt rice. By this means they preserve 
the beautiful colour of their teeth, in the whiteness 
strength, and preservation of which they certainly excel. 
To one of their customs, worthy of general imitation, 
that of rincing the mouth with cold water after every meal, 
this excellence may in part be attributed: and so strong 
are their opinions in its favour, that in observing Euro¬ 
peans neglect this practice, they have been known to com¬ 
pare them to the inferior animals, who eat, as they think, 
in a most uncleanly manner. 
The plaiting of the hair was, until very lately, considered 
by the natives as essential to personal beauty, and, from 
the time it occupied, might have been accounted one of 
their favourite amusements. The Betsimisaraka and 
Betanimena dress their hair in five tufts, two on each side, 
and one behind. The Hovas dress it in numerous plaits 
one over another, on each side; the women placing gold 
and silver pins in one or two particular plaits in front, 
above the forehead. The Sakalavas have also a peculiar 
way of dressing their hair, and ornamenting it with croco¬ 
dile’s teeth, bones, gold, silver, or shells. They may be 
generally distinguished by having a small shell attached to 
the tuft of hair which hangs down to the middle of the 
forehead. In this mode of wearing the hair, the Betsileo, 
Bezanozano, and Antsianaka assimilate partly with the 
Hovas, and partly with the Betsimisaraka, sometimes 
wearing it plaited, and at other times formed into tufts. 
Those of rank and property amongst the Malagasy fre- 
