132 
WOMEN OF USUI. 
naked feet — all were faultless ; the only bad feature, 
which is considered one of beauty with them, was 
her large ears. The arms and elbows were rounded 
off like an egg, the shoulders were sloping, and her 
small breasts were those of a crouching Venus — a 
perfect beauty, although darker than a brunette ! 
Her temporary residence was peculiar — it was formed 
of grass, was flat-roofed, and so low that I could not 
stand upright in it. The fireplace consisted of three 
stones ; milk -vessels of wood, shining white from 
scouring, were ranged on one side of the abode. A 
good-looking woman sat rocking a gourd between her 
knees in the process of churning butter. After the 
fair one had examined my skin and my clothes, I ex- 
pressed great regret that I had no beads to present 
to her. " They are not wanted," she said : " sit down, 
drink this buttermilk, and here is also some butter for 
you." It was placed on a clean leaf. I shook hands, 
patted her cheek, and took my leave, but some beads 
were sent her, and she paid me a visit, bringing butter 
and buttermilk, and asking for more presents, which 
she of course got, and I had the gratification to see 
her eyes sparkle at the sight of them. This was one 
of the few women I met during our whole journey 
that I admired. None of the be]les in Usui could 
approach her ; but they were of a different caste, 
though dressing much in the same style. When cow- 
skins were not worn, these Usui women dressed very 
tidily in bark cloths, and had no marks or cuttings 
observable on their bodies. Circles of hair were often 
shaved off the crowns of their heads, and their neck 
ornaments showed considerable taste in the selection 
of the beads. The most becoming were a string of the 
