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A sincere admirer of Mr. Banks' public spirit & who heartily wishes him a safe return after a pleasant voyages crown'd with success in the accomplishment of the grand Object, takes the liberty of mentioning, that Mr. Dalrymples 4th Collection of voyages to S. Sea. 2. p.78. mentions seeing two women, the oldest of which wanted the little finger of both hands: This reminds one of what the Author of Recherches Philosophiques sur les Americains 2 tom. 2770 &vo. says 2.225,235 that a finger is cut off for each widowhood by Hottentots, Californians & paraguarians. If true, tis strange, so old a custom should prevale in so many & so distant places.
Hair unusually colord, a foretooth above & below wanting, all owing to Art: tho' one should like to know the meaning & reason of their practices. Rech. Philos. sur les Amer. 155. 215. 30 teeth thought handsomer than 32 (by people who could not count. Dalrymple. 2. p.58 plate. The King's long - plaited lock, hanging down on left side cannot fail to remind one of the Egyptian Horus, who is constantly so represented.