AND LOWER EGYPT. 265 



animated whiteness of the palm of the hand, the 

 tender rose colour of the nails, are effaced by a 

 dingy layer of a reddish or orange-coloured druo-. 

 The sole of the foot, the epidermis of which is not 

 hardened by long or frequent walking, and which 

 daily friction makes still thinner, is likewise loaded 

 with the same colour. 



It is with the greenish powder of the dried leaves 

 of the henna, that the women procure for them- 

 selves a decoration so whimsical. It is prepared 

 chiefly in the Said, from whence it is distributed 

 over all the cities of Egypt. The markets are 

 constantly supplied with it, as a commodity of 

 habitual and indispensable use. They dilute it in 

 water, and rub the soft paste it makes on the parts 

 which they mean to colour : they are wrapped up 

 in linen, and at the end of two or three hours the 

 orange hue is strongly impressed on them. Though 

 the women wash both hands and feet several times 

 a day, with lukewarm water and soap, this co- 

 lour adheres for a long time, and it is sufficient to 

 renew it about every fifteen days. That of the 

 nails lasts much longer, nay it passes for inefface- 

 able. In Turkey, likewise, the women make use 

 of hernia, but apply it to the nails only, and leave 

 to their hands and feet the colours of nature. It 

 would appear that the custom of dying the nails 

 yvas known to the ancient Egyptians, for those of 



mummies 



