ABSTRACT
This Muhammadan shopkeeper makes and sells dentifrices and dyes for the teeth. To stain the teeth being considered by Bengali men an effeminate habit, is as provocative of banter as dyeing the hair is among middle-aged men in Europe; but Hindu and Muhammadan women generally practise it, as in their eyes well blackened teeth add a beauty to the expression. The ordinary dye is prepared with gall-nut, iron filing, sulphate of iron, myrobalan (harrá) and sappan wood (táí), magenta powder being generally added instead of red ochre as formerly.
