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the sun, acting immediately upon the skin in this state, necessarily impressed on it a very dark hue.

The darkness of the complexion is still further increased by the custom which prevails among them of painting their bodies: a custom to which these savages are often obliged to have recourse in order to protect themselves from the injurious effects of the moist earth, which frequently is their only bed

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in consequence of extending the plantations. When a few acres only are cleared of their timber and wild vegetables, while the marshes around them are not drained, the trees and plants, which formerly absorbed the greater portion of the putrid miasmata, being taken away from the surface of the plantation, these unhealthful vapors consequently fall more copiously on the inhabitants. Besides, the heat of the sun is, in that case, very much augmented. For, while the plantation is scorched by its almost perpendicular rays, the surrounding woods obstruct the free, and refreshing currents of the winds. So that, frequently, excessive heat combined with the unhealthful moisture of the atmosphere will produce, for a time, an increase of those distressing disorders, till the country is laid entirely open to the powerful action of the sun, and the free course of the wind. In clearing a new country of its forests, and preparing it for cultivation, a large grove of trees should be left round the habitation of each planter or farmer. - These would detain, and, by their foliage, absorb in a great measure the hurtful vapors which would otherwise fall upon it; at the same time, the fresh and refrigerating perspiration of so many trees would contribute to the salubrity of the air around, and within his dwelling.

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during the night; and of an atmosphere, filled with noxious vapors, to the influence of which they are exposed without covering. Painting taken up at the first through necessity, is afterwards employed as an ornament; and an indian is seldom seen without having his skin anointed with some composition that injures the fineness of its texture, and impairs the clearness of its natural colour. If this is the effect of the finest paints and washes which are used for the same purpose in polished society, much more will it be the consequence of those coarse and filthy ungents employed by savages. For if coloured marks or figures inserted by punctures into the skin, are known to be indelible, it is reasonable to believe that the particles of paints, insinuated into its texture by forcible and frequent friction will produce a deep and permanent discolouration. * 

To this may be added the frequent fumigations by which they are obliged to guard against the annoyance of innumerable insects which swarm in un-
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*These paints consist of substances unfit to be taken up by the absorbent vessels of the skin and received into the circulation: they are lodged, therefore, by the force of friction, just beneath the scarf which, being little subject to change, the discolouration is retained with great tenacity.

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