Note 458 — PART I. (continued 2)

The method of applying the henna is thus. They take some of the henna in powder, and making it into a paste with water, roll or spin it out into small threads; then they take a piece of leaven, and with a rolling-pin roll it out into a very thin cake, which they cut out into proper forms, for covering the hands, feet, fingers, and toes; and upon this the threads of the henna-paste are placed in the forms they intend to imprint upon the parts. A piece of the henna-paste is applied to the tip of each finger and toe; and then the pieces of leaven-cake, prepared as above, are tied on to the different parts they are intended for, and suffered to remain there for two or three hours; at the expiration of which all is taken off, and the mark of the several figures made with the henna are found imprinted on the parts to which they were applied. They then cover the whole hands and feet with a paste made of wheat-flour, a small proportion of crude sal ammoniac, and a little quick-lime, with a sufficient quantity of water, which in about half an hour turns all the parts that had been before dyed of a dirty red or yellow, with the henna, into a sort of black, or rather very dark green colour.