138 
luxuriant crops of rice and sweet pota- 
toes. 
“The population is very considerable, 
with reference to the extent of the island, 
being estimated considerably to exceed 
two hundred thousand souls. They are an 
active, athletic race, about the middle sta- 
ture, fair as Asiatics, and with much finer 
features than the Malays. The nose is 
more prominent, and has somewhat of the 
Grecian straightness; the expression of 
the countenance is generally pleasing, and 
the eye is particularly fine and full. T 
women are considered the beauties of the 
Eastern Archipelago, ranking, in this re- 
spect, with the women of Sulo. The ob- 
servation which has been made, that the 
people of Nias are particularly subject to a 
leprous scurf, can only be true with refer- 
ence to Nias slaves abroad; for it is in no 
degree the case with them in their own 
island, where no instance of such an affec- 
tion of the skin was observed; and where, 
on the contrary, they appeared to be re- 
markably clean and neat in regard to their 
persons. That they practice habits of per- 
sonal cleanliness is evident from the pains 
they take to have large and convenient 
baths, in or near their villages. There are 
always two—one appropriated to the men, 
the other to the women, enclosed with 
high stone walls, and having a stream of 
water conducted into them, so as to fall 
over a trough from a considerable height, 
making an excellent shower-bath. 
“The villages are, for the most part, 
situated on the pinnacles of their hills, 
and always in defensible situations. This 
practice has, no doubt, originated in the 
state of warfare, in which they are almost 
constantly involved. They are divided 
into numerous independent tribes or clans, 
between many of which perpetual feuds 
exist, which have been handed down from 
. to generation, for an unknown 
ak ng of slaves obliges them to be 
y on their guard; and they never 
MEMOIR OF THE LATE MR. WILLIAM JACK. 
e the common people consists merely of a 
. seclusion of females from the vulgar ey 
> not, however, tend to confirm the ob 
a short sword, and an oblong wooden | 
shield; besides which they generally wear 
a stiff leathern jacket, which serves as ar- 
mour; and, on particular occasions, a hel- 
met of thick leather, ornamented with a 
crest of Ijan hair over the top, and a huge 
artificial beard and mustachios, made of | 
the same material In this dress, they 
have a strange and formidable appearance; — 
they seem to be expert at the use of their 
weapons, and display great agility in their 
warlike evolutions. - The ordinary dress of 
baju or jacket, and a cloth rolled round — 
the waist, and carried between the thighs. — 
That of the chiefs, and men of rank, is . i 
more costly, and often elegant; red is theit — 
favourite colour, and-they display a profu- 
sion of gold ornaments. Thick necklaces 
or rather collars, of a peculiar pattern, and 
large ear-rings, are worn; but, the | 
striking and peculiar of their ornaments is _ 
a crown of pure gold, of a very original 
and, at the same time, elegant construc- 
tion, somewhat resembling a high Persian 
cap, with a long peak in front. The women 
also wear a great number of these orna- 
ments, viz.—the same heavy collars; very 
large ear-rings, by which the lobe of the 
ear is much distended and pulled down; | 
fillets of various patterns, generally of em- H 
bossed gold plate, round the head; while — 
the hair is gathered into a knot on the top, 
which is also fastened by a gold plate. A - 
few flowers of the red Syrian rose, taste- — 
fully stuck into the hair, set these off to 
still greater iot Their dress, hows 
ease. 
ee 
pe of à piece of cloth, rolled tightly 
round the loins, secured by a broad belt - 
of gold or brass chain-work, and extend- | 
ing downwards to the knees. The whole 
body, above this, is left completely naked, 
displaying their form in all its reality 
perfection or imperfection. There is 
and, on all occasions, they come forth 
