COSTUME OF BOTH SEXES. 49 



Mongol adopts only the worst qualities of his neigh- 

 bour, retaining his own inherent vices, until he has 

 become a degenerate mongrel, demoralised, instead 

 of rising to a higher social grade, under Chinese in- 

 fluence. 



The Mongols, like the Chinese, shave the head, 

 only leaving sufficient hair on the crown to plait 

 into a long tail behind, whilst the heads of their 

 lamas are left entirely bare.^ Whiskers and beard, 

 naturally of scanty growth, are worn by none. 



The pigtail was introduced into China by the 

 Manchus, after their conquest of the Celestial Empire 

 about the middle of the seventeenth century. Since 

 then it has been considered an external mark of sub- 

 mission to the reigning (Ta-tsin) dynasty, and all 

 Chinese subjects are compelled to wear it. 



The Mongol women allow the hair to grow, and 

 plait it in two braids, decorated with ribbons, strings 

 of coral, or glass beads, which hang down on either 

 side of the bosom. Silver brooches, set with red 

 coral, which is highly esteemed in Mongolia, are fas- 

 tened in the hair. The poorer women substitute 

 common beads for coral, but the brooches, which are 

 secured above the forehead, are generally of silver, 

 or as a rare exception, of brass. Large silver ear- 

 rings and bracelets are also customary. 



The dress of the Mongols consists of a kaftan 

 or 1оп2: robe made of blue daba,'"^ Chinese boots, and 



' They use Chinese knives in shaving, and soften the hair with 

 warm water. 



* Chinese cotton stuff, 



VOL. I. E 



