200 HISTORY AND ETHNOLOGY. 



eyes is one kind of punishment, administered especially to people of rank. 

 Beheading is the usual mode of execution. For offences of trijfling import- 

 ance the bastinado (blows upon the soles of the feet, pi. 17, jig. 6) and 

 the pillory are applied. The representation at jig. 7 shows the peculiar 

 stocks which in the latter punishment are attached around the neck and 

 to the right arm. Fines also are not unusual. 



The musical instruments of the Persians consist of long straight horns of 

 various sizes, and of kettle-drums, which are frequently beaten with. the 

 bare hands {jig. 3). 



If a Persian has several legitimate wives (as a Moslem, he is not 

 permitted to have more than four), the one first married ranks highest 

 according to a law, which, however, is frequently disregarded. The bride 

 proceeds to meet her future husband entirely enveloped in a red veil, and 

 upon a horse sent by him ; the presents of the groom being often carried 

 before her in open coffers overlaid with red silk covers. One of the 

 conductors of the bridegroom carries a candle, the other a torch, and 

 behind him goes a drummer. {Fig. 1, marriage ceremonies.) Women of 

 rank travel in a closed litter, which is borne by mules and has lattice-work 

 at the sides {jig. 2). 



When a Persian is dying, a lire is kindled on the roof of his house, that 

 every passer-by may pray for the departing soul. The last breath having 

 been drawn, the corpse is forthwith carefully washed. After this, the body 

 is laid out upon a bed of state {pi. 20, jig. 8), and the relatives and friends 

 meet in order to lament their loss, the nearest relatives showing their 

 distress by tearing their clothes and strewing their heads with ashes. The 

 corpse is then wrapped in a cloth inscribed with passages from the Koran, 

 and laid in a coffin on a bed of spices, lime, and salt, which is then placed 

 in a pit furnished with a flight of stairs. 



The dress of a Persian Shah is represented in pi. 15, jig. 2 ; that of the 

 Khans and officers of court in jigs. 1, and 3-6 ; that of a lady in fig. 7 ; 

 and that of common people in jigs. 8 and 9. PI. 16, jig. 9, a Persian of 

 rank with his attendants. 



The Arabs. 



The Arabs (South Semites), who have inhabited Arabia from time 

 immemorial, are either herdsmen, agriculturists, or inhabitants of towns 

 (Moors). The settled Arabs of Africa are more especially denominated 

 Moors. The pastoral Arabs are called, in the language of the country, 

 Ebn el Arab, i. e. Arab's son, or also Bedauvi, which the Europeans have 

 rendered by Bedouin. The agriculturist is called Fehla, and an inhabitant 

 of a town Haddri. The people of the towns are blended with the Turks, 

 and have imbibed their manners without having laid aside the principal 

 peculiar traits of the inhabitants of the deserts. The Fehlahin (plural of 

 Fehla) are of large strong frame, and do not possess the keen, fiery eyes 

 of the Bedouins, nor their silky beards, being, moreover, inferior to them 

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