1832.] 
ISLAND OF SUMA-TRA. 
141 
not commanding, are not deficient in grace and symmetry. Their 
completion, which is lighter than the natives of India, is properly 
yellow, wanting the red tinge that constitutes a tawny or copper- 
colour. Some of the women of the higher classes approach to 
a degree of northern fairness ; and would pass in any part of the 
world for beautiful brunetts. But the great mass of the females 
are so entirely destitute of personal charms, as even to be dis- 
gusting in their appearance. Like the Chinese, the men of supe- 
rior rank in Sumatra allow the nails of their fingers, and even 
those of their toes, to grow to an extraordinary length. 
When this island was first visited by Europeans, the natives 
were dressed in garments made of the same kind of cloth as that 
which now is usually worn on most of the islands of the Pacific 
Ocean, and which has received the general cognomen of Ota- 
heitean cloth. It is still used in Sumatra by some tribes of the 
interior. 
, The usual dress of the men consists of a close waistcoat, with 
a pair of short drawers next the skin. The former is without 
sleeves, fastened round the throat like a shirt, with a metallic 
I button, the intrinsic value of which depends upon the rank or pe- 
I cuniary circumstances of the wearer — it is often of gold filigree. 
I Over this they wear the hadjoo, which resembles a morning-gown, 
•open at the neck, but fastened close at the wrists, and buttoned 
• half-way up the arm. The young men, who in all countries are 
i prone more or less to affect the dandy, wear the hadjoo much 
i shorter than those of riper years, which sometimes descend as 
; low as the ankles. They are usually made of blue or white 
cotton ; while the better sort wear them of chints, and the 
: rajahs of flowered silk. Over the right shoulder is often thrown 
a scarf, which hangs down on the left side, not unlike a Scotch 
Highlander's plaid, and is called the cayen-sarong. It is simply 
a long piece of variegated cloth, of a yard or more in width, sewed 
together at the ends. It is frequently. permitted to fall from the 
shoulders, to be gathered in plaits around the waist and hips, where, 
' in full dress, it is closely belted by the girdle or sash in which the 
kris, or dagger, is worn. This sash, which is of crimson silk, 
passes several times around the body, and has a loop at the end 
in which the sheath of the kris is suspended. Their drawers, 
which are often of taffeta, seldom reach lower than half-way 
