VARIETIES. 
271 
upper  lip,  upon  the  arms,  and  on  the  back  of  the  neck,  to  be  detrimental  to 
beauty,  those  who  are  troubled  with  such  physical  indications  of  good 
health  and  vital  stamina  have  long  had  recourse  to  rusma  or  depilatory  for 
removing  it. 
This  or  analogous  preparations  were  introduced  into  this  country  from 
the  East,  rusma  having  been  in  use  in  the  harems  of  Asia  for  many  ages. 
Best  slaked  lime        ....        3  lb. 
Orpiment,  in  powder  h  1!). 
Mix  the  material  by  means  of  a  drum  sieve  ;  preserve  the  same  for  sale 
in  well-corked  or  stopped  bottles. 
Directions  to  be  sold  with  the  above.  Mix  the  depilatory  powder  with 
enough  water  to  render  it  of  a  creamy  consistency  ;  lay  it  upon  the  hair  for 
about  five  minutes,  or  until  its  caustic  action  upon  the  skin  renders  it  ne- 
cessary to  be  removed  ;  a  similar  process  to  shaving  is  then  to  be  gone 
through,  but  instead  of  using  a  razor,  operate  with  an  ivory  or  bone  paper 
knife  ;  then  wash  the  part  with  plenty  of  water,  and  apply  a  little  cold 
cream. 
The  precise  time  to  leave  depilatory  upon  the  part  to  be  depilated  cannot 
be  given,  because  there  is  a  physical  difference  in  the  nature  of  hair.  "Ra- 
ven tresses  "  require  more  time  than  "  flaxen  locks  ;';  the  sensitiveness  of 
the  skin  has  also  to  be  considered.  A  small  feather  is  a  very  good  test  for 
its  action. 
A  few  readers,  will,  perhaps,  be  disappointed  in  finding  that  I  have  only 
given  one  formula  for  depilatory  ;  the  receipts  might  easily  have  been  in- 
creased in  number  but  not  in  quality;  the  use  of  arsenical  compounds  is  ob- 
jectionable, but  it  undoubtedly  increases  the  depilating  action  of  the  com- 
pounds. A  few  compilers  of  "  Receipt  Books."  "  Supplements  to  Phar- 
macopoeias," and  others,  add  to  the  lime,  "  charcoal  powder,"  "  carbonate 
of  potass,"  "  starch,"  &c,  but  what  action  have  these  materials — chemi- 
cally— upon  hair  ?  The  simplest  depilatory  is  moistened  quick  lime,  but  it 
is  less  energetic  than  the  mixture  recommended  above  ;  it  answers  very 
well  for  tanners  and  feltmongers;  with  whom  time  is  no  object. 
Absorbent  Powders. 
A  lady's  toilet-table  is  incomplete  without  a  box  of  some  absorbent  pow- 
der; indeed,  from  our  earliest  infancy  powder  is  used  for  drying  the  skin 
with  the  greatest  benefit — no  wonder  that  its  use  is  continued  in  advanced 
years,  if,  by  slight  modifications  in  its  composition,  it  can  be  used  not  only 
as  an  absorbent,  but  as  a  moans  of  "personal  adornment.' J  We  are  quite 
within  limits  in  stating  that  many  tons-weight  of  such  powders  are  used  in 
this  country  annually.  They  are  principally  composed  of  various  starches, 
prepared  from  wheat,  potatoes,  and  various  nuts,  mixed,  in  ore  or  less,  with 
powdered  talc — of  Haiiy,  steatite,  (soap-stone)  French  chalk,  oxide  of  bis- 
muth, and  oxide  of  zinc,  &c.    The  most  popular  is  Avhat  is  termed 
