They also mark their feet, legs, thighs, arms &c. but the Weomen never mark higher then their Ancle, and few mark their Arms, having only some fancy Spots on their hands, it being accounted foolishness to have any other Marks except those on the Posteriors, feet & hands but in men it is taken no notice of.

The tools used for the first time on a Chief or the heir of a large family must be destroyd as soon as they are done with, and deposited in the Moral and when all the Amoas (except those of Marriage or freindship) are performd they receive a small spot on inside of each Arm Just above the bend of the Elbow which signifies that they are free to eat and drink of their parents food & that Contrary their parents may eat of theirs; this Mark they Never receive till these rites are performd, nor is it always done, at the time of the last being performd.

The Tattowing is performd at the pleasure of the Partys who have it done and will not suffer the performer to leave off while they can bear a stroke, tho they make such lamentation while they endure the pain that a stranger would suppose it was doing against their will and that they were forced to suffer it contrary to their Inclination. The young females are more remarkable for bearing it then the Males tho they cannot suffer more then one side to be done at a time and the other may remain perhaps for a Twelve month after before it is finishd, till which time they never Conceive themselves Company for Weomen — being only Counted as Children till they have their Tattowing done — While the Girls are having it done they are always attended by some of their female

Indigenous Histories