SOCIAL STATE OF THE ARABS. 315 



Their eyes and eyelashes they paint black, with a 

 preparation of lead ore called kohel. 



Fashion has a powerful influence in determining' 

 the various modes in which the hair and beard are 

 worn. Within the Imam of Sanaa's dominions all 

 men of whatever station shave their heads ; in other 

 parts of Yemen the hair is carefully preserved and 

 knotted up behind. The Aenezes never cut their 

 long- black tresses, but cherish them from infancy 

 until they hang in twisted locks over their cheeks 

 do\\Ti to the breast. Everybody without exception 

 wears the beard of its natural length ; being con- 

 sidered as the ensign of honour and dignity, it is 

 reckoned disgraceful to appear without it. Shaving 

 is often prescribed as a penance for some fault, and 

 it is one of the severest punishments that can be 

 inflicted. By threatening this chastisement, Saoud 

 kept in order many a rebellious sheik. A favourite 

 mare which he wished to purchase, belonging to a 

 chief of the Beni Shammar, and valued at 2500 dol- 

 lars (546/.), v/as yielded up by the reluctant owner 

 the moment th« barber produced his razor. Some 

 old men still die their beards red ; but this practice 

 is generally disapproved. 



In personal appearance the Arabs are of the 

 middle size, lean and athletic. Their complexion 

 is brown, their eyes and hair dark. When young 

 they have a mild but expressive countenance ; in 

 advanced age their aspect is truly venerable. The 

 Aenezes are rather diminutive in their stature, few 

 of them being above five feet two or three inches 

 in height ; but their features are good, their persons 

 extremely well formed, and not so meager or slight 

 as some travellers have represented. Their deep- 

 set but lively dark eyes sparkle from under their 

 bushy black eyebrows with a fire unknown in our 

 northern climes. 



From living constantly in the open air the Arabs 

 acquire a remarkable acuteness in all their senses. 



