312 SOCIAL STATE OF THE ARABS. 



spared, as the illusion of hidden charms is com- 

 pletely dispelled when a sight is obtained of their 

 lemon-coloured complexions, their hollow cheeks 

 daubed all over with black or greenish-blue paint, 

 their yellow teeth, and their lips stained of a red- 

 dish tile-colour. Though custom has reconciled 

 them to these artificial means of heightening their 

 beauty, their appearance is frightful and repulsive to 

 strangers. It ought to be added, however, that in 

 general they have fine eyes, regular noses, and 

 handsome persons. The women at Loheia wear 

 large veils, which conceal their faces so entirely 

 that only one of their eyes can be seen. In the in- 

 terior, females are less shy than in cities ; they con- 

 verse freely with strangers, and have their counte- 

 nance quite uncovered. The Arabs of the Hauran 

 use a coarse white cotton stuff for their komhaz or 

 gown, and have their keflie tied with a rope of 

 camel's hair. 



In ^\'inter, the Bedouins throw over the shirt a 

 pelisse made of sheep-skins stitched together. Many 

 even in summer wear these skins, as they learn from 

 experience that thick clothing is a defence from 

 heat as well as cold. The dress of the women con- 

 sists of a wide cotton gown of a dark colour, blue, 

 brown, or black, and on their heads a kerchief. They 

 go barefooted at all seasons, have the same affec- 

 tion for ornaments as their more polished rivals in 

 the city, and employ similar arts to increase their 

 beauty. Silver rings are much worn both in their 

 ears and noses. Round their naked w^aists both 

 sexes wear from infancy a leathern girdle, or cord, 

 consisting of four or five thongs twisted together, 

 which they adorn with amulets or pieces of riband. 

 They all puncture their lips, and die them blue. 

 Some of them also tattoo their cheeks, temples, 

 forehead, breasts, arms, and ankles ; and in these 

 practices they are sometimes imitated by the men. 



