110 THE HUNTING GROUNDS 



ornameDt is called the "boolaq," and is generally a 

 golden crescent, set with rubies, diamonds, or eme- 

 ralds, and worn in the cartilage of the nose, through 

 which a hole is bored, falling to the ^^pper lip with 

 very pretty effect. 



Round the ankles, heavy massive silver or gold 

 " gungroos " are worn, of curious construction, re- 

 sembling three double curb-chains, to which rows 

 of small fuschia-shaped bells are attached, of different 

 tones, which jingle as they walk, and with which 

 they keep time to the music when they dance. 



Ear-rings are worn all round the ears, but from 

 the lobes hang beautifully-formed bell-shaped drops, 

 fringed round with seed-pearls. 



The neck and arms are covered with all kinds of 

 necklaces, bracelets, armlets, bangles, and silver or 

 gold rings, besides numerous charms and amulets, 

 which are supposed to shield the wearer from mis- 

 fortune, and to avert the influence of the Evil Eye. 



The fingers and even the toes are ornamented with 

 rings, and the nails of both are stained a bright red 

 with "maindee," or the juice of the "henna," 



During the nautch several curious feats requiring 

 great suppleness of body were performed. For in- 

 stance, a row of girls stood fronting us, standing with 

 their feet about six inches apart, between which was 

 placed a rupee or a needle with the point upright ; 

 they then all bent backwards together, and intro- 

 ducing their hands between their feet, picked up the 

 money with their lips, or the needle with their eye- 



