CUSTOMS. 243 



loose, except their vumtierband (that is a 

 cloth bound round the lower part of their 

 loins), which is of great use in supporting the 

 belly, and thereby preventing ruptures. The 

 poorer classes go almost naked, and besmear 

 their bodies with oil, to prevent the direful 

 effects of a burning sun on their naked skins. 

 The females dress very like the men, all loose 

 except their breasts, which are tightly suspen- 

 ded in cloth or silk, to prevent their falling 

 down from their weight and relaxation. 



They ornament their persons in a variety 

 of ways, which, though considered by them 

 as adding to their charms and beauty, is at 

 first viewed by Europeans with disgust, and 

 notwithstanding that a residence for some 

 time amongst them may somewhat recon- 

 cile such unbecoming decorations, few ever 

 give themselves the trouble to think much 

 on the subject, or trace them to their first 

 principle, physical utility^ from which, 1 

 conceive, they for the most part origi- 

 nated. I will now enumerate a few, which 

 R2 



