i98

A Special Chorogra^hy and

The Women
of the same

being tlic

Letter IV. and Frizled ; the Indians here are a mixture of these, but long
i-*-v—«-' Haired. The heat of the Sun alters our Europe-Men to a dark
Brown; such as S31I to and again conttantly in these Climates, by
going Naked and exposed to the Sun, being almost as Swarthy as'
' the Natives, with this difference, that by Cioathing the Sunburnt
Wears oss; but con trari wise, it remains indeleble on the Indians.
Infants when newly Born have the same Flesh Colour as ours;
but in a few Days, by the inbred Humour, and riie Sun's Heat, de-
clare their Hew to be of the same with their Parents.
The Women ate Small, and most an end* Plump, and Short in
■espe&to the Men ; as to the order which Nature observes in them
they are more sorward than curs in Europe, and leave ofs Child-'
bearing socntr. It is reported the Menstruums of the Asricans are
pernicious, but there is no lucb (lander here, these being Neat,
Well-ihaped, and Obstquious to their Husbands; sor the different
Posirions os their Veins it's a (illy Query, they being of the same
Species of the rest of the World, bating their Education, which is
agreeable to them, and bear as good a Meen naturally, as ours in-
structed by the Matters of Behaviour; they keep their Breasts .
bound up caresully, and on that account are no more extended than
they mould be ; they are quick in Labour, and Assectionate to their
Children, Bearing them Naked on their Hips a straddle; are well
Proportioned, and for that reason not aihamed to' shew the Motion
of their Bodies, all their Limbs being visibie, yet love to hide what
iliould not be seen: They are Cleanly, as well in their Cookery as
in their Bodies, Pruning themselves by plucking the budding
Hairs osf their Privities up by the Roots, they being all as smooth
there as the back of their Hands, though they susser the Hair of their
Heads to grow in Tresses, which the Rich Embroider with Gold,
Coronets, and Rich Jewels; the Poor Brade with Strings of Jassa-
min Flowers, and make Necklaces of the same; the Rich have
their Arms and Feet Fettered with Gold and Silver, the meaner
with Brais, Glass, or Tuthinag; besides Rings at their Noses, Ears,
Toes, and Fingers; Their Attire alters not into new Modes, nor
need they a Taylor ; a Lmgy being tied loose over their Shoulders
Belt-wise, and tucked between their Legs in nature of short Breeches,
besides a more Wastecoat, orEphod to keep up their Breasts, being
a4i their Garb; going constantly without Shoots or Stocfcins, Shoes
being allowed their Midwives only, which are like the Mens, only
a few Silk Tufts upon them for distin&ion sake. Those that have
Buried their Husbands sor rather Burnt them) are risled of all their
Jewels,and Shaved,always wearinga Red Lswgr,whereby to be known
that they have not undergone the Conssagration ; sor which cause
they are desptsed, and live more Uncomfortably than the meanest;
Servant.
The Mors Women are all Cloathed like the Men, as has been
said etseu here, only Vailed when they go abroad ; and thus the In-
dim Women a»-e Habited.
1 They use no swathing to their Ba.bes, and have very sew deformed
I- or Dwarss among them; areTempcrarc,and live to a good Old Age,
when their Hair also turns from Black to Grey. What Ovid relates
of