36 WANDERINGS OF A 



the individual, or those around him, the new comer is struck 

 with the ahsence of anything like colour or freshness in the faces 

 of his coimtry people, — especially the gentler sex, whose rosy 

 cheeks soon lose their northern bloom. 



The natives of Scinde are a manly-looking race, but in 

 point of physical powers the Beloochees greatly excel. Their 

 well-knit frames, dark complexions, and flashing eyes distin- 

 guish them from their more peaceable brethren of the plains. 

 Accoutred with sword, shield, and matchlock, the EeloocHfee 

 has proved himself a valiant warrior in many a hard fight, 

 from the day he first met the British on the field of Meanee, 

 to the last grand struggle in the Northern Provinces. 



The turban is the usual head-dress of the natives. They 

 likewise wear a cap very like a black hat turned brim upper- 

 most. 



The pearl-oyster abounds in eleven or twelve fathoms of 

 water all along the coast of Scinde. There was a fishing in the 

 harbour of Kurrachee, which had been of some importance in 

 the days of the native rulers, but was gradually declining. 



The shore was covered with heaps of shells — each having 

 a little perforation in its centre, marking the place where the 

 pearl is found. Workmen were employed clearing away the 

 sand, and carefully winnowing the dust and detritus of. the 

 shells, in which, now and then, minute pearls are found. The 

 largest shown us was scarcely bigger than a pin's-head, and 

 evidently of very little value, for we could purchase for five 

 shillings as many as would cover the surface of a sixpence. 



A " porpoise " is very common in the harbour, and ascends 

 the Indus and rivers of the Punjaub. 



The Caucasian ibex {Gapra caucasica) frequents the moun- 

 tains of Beloochistan. 



I was informed by my lamented friend, the late Dr. Gould, 



