) 
i i 
OP THE INDIANS, 23 1 
true scalp; and in scalping a person that has a 
full head of hair, an experienced warrior never 
thinks of taking off more of the skin than a bit 
of about the size of a crown-piece,, from the 
part of the head where this lock is usually left. 
They ornament this solitary lock of hair with 
beads,, silver trinkets, &e, and on grand occa¬ 
sions with feathers. The women do not pluck 
any of the hair from off their heads* and pride 
themselves upon having it as long as possible. 
They commonly wear it neatly platted up be¬ 
hind, and divided in front on the middle of the 
forehead. When they wish to appear finer 
than usual, they paint the small part of the 
skin, which appears on the separation of the 
hair, with a streak of vermilion; when neatly 
done, it looks extremely well, and forms a pleas¬ 
ing contrast to the jetty black of the hair. 
v 
The Indians,who have any dealings with the 
English or American traders, and all of them 
have that live in the neighbourhood, and to (he 
east of the Mississippi, and in the neighbour¬ 
hood of the great lakes to the north-west, have 
now totally laid aside the use of furs and skins 
in their dress, except for their shoes or mocca¬ 
sins, and sometimes for their leggings, as they 
find they can exchange them to advantage for 
blankets and woollen cloths, &c. which they 
consider likewise as much more agreeable and 
commodious materials for wearing apparel. 
