SOCIAL STATE OP THE ARABS. 353 



some 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 interior., fe- 

 males are less shy than in cities ; they converse free- 

 ly with strangers, and have their countenance quite 

 uncovered. The Arabs of the Hauran use a coarse 

 white cotton stuff for their kombaz or gown, and 

 have their keffie tied with a rope of camels' hair. 



In winter 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 

 consists of a wide cotton gown of a dark colour, 

 blue, brown, or black, and on their heads a ker- 

 chief. They go barefooted at all seasons, have the 

 same affection 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 waists 

 both sexes wear from infancy a leathern girdle, or 

 cord consisting of four or five thongs twisted to- 

 gether, which they adorn with amulets on pieces of 

 riband. They all puncture their lips and dye them 

 blue. Some of them also tattoo their cheeks, tem- 

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

 these practices they are sometimes imitated by the 

 men. 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 



