178 IirSTORY AND ETHNOLOGY. 



of distinction are ornamented with small bells of different kinds, and the bag- 

 gage is covered with carpets or blankets. The lord rides at the head with 

 his people, and after him his steward, carrying a small banner in his hand. 

 The cradles with the infants are placed on both sides of the camel saddles. 



The dress of the men consists of an over garment made of cloth or 

 cotton stuff, which reaches to the calves of the legs, and has long sleeves, 

 very wide above and tapering to the hand. In addition to this, there are 

 one or more under garments (of damask with the rich), w^hich fit closely, 

 are fastened at the breast with buttons, and girded with a belt. Over long 

 linen breeches short boots are worn, The poor wear red leather breeches 

 and a fur coat upon the bare hodj. In winter, men of rank also wear 

 furs. The women wear Avide trowsers ; their chemise fastens at the 

 throat ; their dress is similar to that of the men, only usually lighter and 

 neater, and the upper garment is often without collar and sleeves, has 

 variegated bordering, and is cut open behind. The head of the Calmucs is 

 shaved, with the exception of a small space behind the crown, where they 

 permit the hair to grow^, and twist it into one or more queues. The hair of 

 young girls is attended to vrith care, parted from the crown down, and twisted 

 behind into one large plait, and into several smaller ones at the sides. At 

 their marriage, all these tresses are loosened, and but two large plaits are 

 made of them, which, secured in a covering of black material, hang down over 

 the shoulder. Women wear rings in both ears, girls in but one. Females, 

 also, wear short boots ; those of a red color being most esteemed. Yellow^, 

 being considered sacred, is never selected. Both men and women wear caps, 

 w^hich are usually round, low, and bordered with fur. In summer, men of 

 rank and the priests wear large, flat, round summer hats. Both women and 

 girls rouge their cheeks. 



The house of the Calmucs, called by the Russians " kybitka," by the Cal- 

 mucs themselves " gaerr," consists of a framework of lath, painted red, which 

 may be easily set up and again taken apart, and w^hich is overlaid with felt 

 coverings when in use. The houses are round, with a conical roof, having an 

 opening at top for the egress of smoke. They are a very ingenious invention 

 for a pastoral people ; strong, and fit to withstand storms ; warm in winter, 

 spacious, and fully secured against snow and rain by means of the covering of 

 white felt which entirely envelopes them. Fuel, in winter, consists for the 

 most part of dried dung of the camel and horned cattle, as the steppes furnish 

 but little wood. 



The great number of cattle renders a migratory mode of life on the part 

 of the owners necessary, and in summer these changes of abode are made 

 as often as once in six or seven days ; in winter, however, they are not so 

 frequent. 



The Kirghis {pi. 15, jig. 14, and pi. 16, jigs. 2 and 3, Kirghis in camp). 

 The three great hordes of horsemen living in the territory extending from 

 Lake Aral to the confines of China, and, in part, in the far-spreading dis- 

 tricts of Fae Celestial Empire, are called by the Russians, " Kirghese," 

 " Kirghis-Cossacks," or '• Kirghis-Kaisacks :" they, however, call themselves 

 " Burnt." 

 350 



