The Weomen in this Climate, as in other warm ones, are sooner ripe then in the Colder Northern & Southern Countrys and generally Marry at 13 or 14 Years but those of rank often reach 16 or 18 Years, by which time in this Country they are Weomen Grown — they also appear to fade sooner Nevertheless handsom features may often be traced under Grey hairs, and it is somthing remarkable that many who were once faded revive and hold their Beauty with all the Sprightlyness of Youth at 50, While others who have broken their Constitution in their Youth by their disolute Manner of living are perfectly withered at 30.

When any person dies the relations flock to the House in numbers making much lamentation and the Weomen cut their heads with sharks teeth; both sexes cut their hair off different parts of their heads, somtimes Cutting all of but a lock over one Ear, somtimes over both & the rest Close cut or shaven. The Weomen often Cut themselves on these occasions till they bring on a fever and I have known a Woman Cut herself for the loss of a Child till a delirium was brought on which ended in the total loss other reason.

For the loss of a relation they Cut a square place bare on the fore part of their head which they keep bare for 6 Moons or longer, according to the love they bear the deceased; but for a favourite Child they wear it so for two or 3 Years and all the hair they Cut off is either thrown into the Sacred Ground or Carried to the Morai.

If any Person dies of a Disorder they are Buried in their own Ground and a Priest always puts a Plantain tree into the Grave with them and some of the relations put them in the Grave, praying them to keep their disorder in the Grave with them and not afflict any person with [it]. When their Soul is Sent on that Business, they also bury or burn evry thing belonging to them, or that has been used by them while in their Sickness, house and furniture to prevent the disorder from spreading or Communicating to others — these are the only people that have any funeral Prayers — thosewho die without disease are either laid on a beir or embalmd. Their Method of embalming is by taking the Bowells out and Stuffing the Body with Cloth and grated Sandal wood, anointing the

Indigenous Histories