ARRIVAL IN YARKAND, ETC. 
141 
tanned hide. I do not think that much tanning 
material is grown in the country. I was told of a 
plant called Tuchumack which yielded nuts or galls, 
used in preparing leather. At Sanju it was said to 
be common about Yarkand, and at Yarkand it was 
said to be plentiful at Sanju. All the leather used 
for boots or saddles was either of untanned hide, or 
had been imported from India or Russia. 
On entering a room the boots are not taken 
off, as in India. The correct position during a visit 
of ceremony, or at meals, is to kneel and sit on the 
heels of the boots, or in fact in any position which 
does not show the feet in front. Without a deal of 
practice, however, the Yarkandi mode of sitting is 
most uncomfortable. One's legs soon take cramp, 
and the circulation becomes so interfered with, that 
one finds it difficult to st^nd on again rising up. 
The great mass of the people seemed well to do and 
happy, and we saw no abject poverty, as in more 
civilized countries, for begging is looked on as an 
honourable profession. Most of our Mussulman at- 
tendants got married during our stay in the city, and 
some of them more than once, I believe, for, as in 
most Mahomedan countries, the Yarkandis allow of 
what are called nicka marriages — i.e., marriages 
contracted for a limited period — a day, a week, a 
month, or more, as may be agreed on. The ceremony 
is performed by the kazi or judge. Some presents 
are given to the bride or her relatives, and at the end 
of the time agreed on both parties are free to sepa- 
rate, or they may if they choose prolong the matri- 
monial state. 
The Yarkandis are, as a rule, remarkably cleanly 
