180 DRESS OP 



the white tail feathers, each having a broad black band 

 across it, of the rhinoceros hornbill, are preferred ; 

 they have no covering or protection for their thighs or 

 legs, but leave them as on ordinary occasions ; their 

 parang, or large chopping knife, is suspended from 

 their left sides, and another string supports on the 

 opposite side the little basket which contains their 

 sirih leaves, betel-nut, and lime, for chewing ; 

 these are placed in little cases of bamboo orna- 

 mented with brass or silver, and very much carved, 

 but after a very rude manner. A similar bamboo 

 case, and which is generally also carried in this little 

 tambuk, or basket, contains their tinder, flint, and 

 steel ; a long knife is generally attached to it. 



The women of these tribes are, like their husbands 

 and brothers, short in stature, generally more stoutly 

 made than the Malay women, and with well-developed 

 figures ; they are very much fairer than they, or even 

 than the men of their own tribes : while young many 

 of them would be thought very pretty, but soon, from 

 their hard duties and other causes, they become stout 

 and plain, and when old are frequently very ugly. 

 When brought up amongst the Malays they continue 

 much longer in their prime, and are generally thought 

 prettier than the women of that nation : their hair, 

 though naturally as good, from want of care and culti- 

 vation never attains such length and profusion amongst 

 those who reside in their own villages, though in cir- 

 cumstances which give them time for the adorn- 



