50 



THE LIU-KIU ISLANDS. 



[chap. 



worn now, and almost everyone goes bareheaded, the better classes 

 carrymg paper umbrellas to protect themselves from the sun. 

 The labouring population, and those of inferior rank, are invariably 

 barefoot, but their superiors wear the cJimissure of the Japanese, — 



LIU-KIUAN WITH HACHI-MACHI. 



sandals and white stockings ; the latter, if the expression be 

 permissible, having a thumb for the great toe. The women dress 

 like the men, but without the girdle, and the Hmono is accordingly 

 fastened in some way at the side. 



Our bearers started off at a good pace, which rather taxed the 

 efforts of the crowd to keep up with them. We soon got clear of the 

 town, and shortly afterwards crossed one of the rivers flowing into 

 the harbour. The bridges in Liu-kiu appear to be extremely well 

 made. They are built of stone, and the balustrade is often a some- 

 what elaborate affair. In this case it was of large slabs, pierced 

 with circular openings, between which were well-executed carvings 



