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CUSTOMS RELATING TO THE TEETH 43 -

by another, viz., the hlhng up of the interdental spaces ver\- cleverK-
with gold leaf/
In Sumatra and the neighboring islands many women Hie their teeth
down to the gums; others hie them into points; or partialh- remove the
enamel so as to render it easier to apply the black d\e; this being held
to be the height of elegance. Men of high rank and condition dye their
upper teeth black and cover the lower ones with Hne gold plates, which
in a full light produces what they consider a fine contrast. The natives
of other islands gild the upper central incisors and dye the others black.
In Japan, the married women may easily be distinguished from the
others by their black and shining teeth. The coloring preparation they
use to blacken the teeth is composed of urine, raspings of iron, and a
substance called saki. This mixture has a most unpleasant odor, and
if applied on the skin acts as a caustic. Its action on the teeth is so
powerful that they do not regain their whiteness even after a lapse of
years. In applying this substance, and also for some time after, the
women take care to preserve their gums and lips from its effects, as it
would otherwise cause them to assume a dark blue tint.' The inhabi-
tants of the Pelew Islands make use of the wild thistle and shell chalk
to blacken the teeth. It is also the custom to blacken the teeth among
the inhabitants of Tonkin and Siam, the women of the Maria Islands,
and the single ladies of Java.
Some of the peoples of Eastern India plane their teeth down to an
even level; and from the habit of masticating areca nuts mixed with
chalk and other substances, their lips and teeth are d\ed red. At
Macassar the natives have their teeth dyed red; they also substitute
missing teeth by artificial ones made of gold, silver, or tombac.^
Negroes, especially those of Abyssinia, very often file their incisors
into points to resemble the form of the canines; this is in order to give
themselves an air of greater ferocity.
Murphy relates that the inhabitants of one of the islands of the Sound
make an incision in the upper lip in a parallel line with the mouth, and
large enough to allow the tongue to pass. After the margins have healed
they have a great resemblance to the lips. This kind of artificial mouth
is made to support a shell, carved in such a manner as to produce the
effect of a row of teeth.
The natives of the Sandwich Islands sacrifice their front teeth to
conciliate the favor of their god Eatoa.'^

i, 8.
' Carabelli, Handbuch der ZahnhL-ilkunde, 1844,
" Linderer, op. cit.
' [The newer civilization of Japan has caused this custom to larijely fall into disuse.
"
— E. C. K.]
.
* Carabelli, loc. ^ Linderer, loc. cit.
cit.