84 TRAVELS IN 
edge of which is ornamented with a finall in- 
dented circle of copper, and which is divided 
into different compartments, by rows of glafs 
beads of various colours, all proceeding from 
the centre, and divc-rging towards the circum- 
ference, like the rays in our images of the 
fun. 
This kind of veil is made faft to the groin 
by means of a girdle ; but, as it is only four 
inches in diaaieter, as it is deranged by the 
fmalleft movement, and as they give themfelvea 
little uneafinefs refpeding fuch accidents, it is 
very ill fuited to the pufpofe for which it is 
applied. During the great heats, this fmall 
and almoft ufelefs apron is the only covering 
on their bodies. Its being fo readily difplaced 
enabled me to afcertain that they do not prac- 
tice circumcifion ; but it feemed to fllow alfb 
that, in regard to modefly, their ideas are very 
different from ourf» 
Though they go thus almofl: entirely naked, 
their manners, inftead of being licentious, are 
remarkably chafte. No females can be more 
prudent or more referved than their women ; 
and when I compared them with thofe of the 
Greater Nimlquas, who feemed fo forward 
. . and 
