3 50 
THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
nut oil : on the crown and back part of the head are stuck 
three or four tortoise-shell combs with plates of gold. About 
their necks and arms they wear chains of gold or filigree ; 
and are all provided with ear-rings. Those of the higher order 
are remarkable for the expence of their dress. The Malays 
make most beautiful filigree work in gold, for ornaments to 
their persons. 
The greater number of Malays have remarkably ugly faces ; 
and their features strongly indicate their ferocious, treacherous, 
and revengeful dispositions. Yet some have comely counte- 
nances ; and many of the women may even be accounted 
beautiful, especially such as are not much exposed to the 
sun, and have not had their noses compressed. It is a com- 
mon practice with the mothers, soon after the birth of their 
children, to break by compression the gristle of the upper 
part of their noses, as the flat nose among this people is looked 
upon as a symbol of beauty. I have seen many very handsome 
young Malay women of a bright yellow or gold colour, and 
some even approaching to white. Yet Europeans will do well 
to avoid their allurements ; for such connections are attended 
with much danger, and often end fatally. The men are ex- 
tremely jealous, and particularly of the decided preference 
which the women give to Europeans. They never pardon in- 
fidelity in a wife; and although they allow an European to 
have connection with one unmarried woman, yet he runs 
little less risk from the object of his affections, than from a 
jealous husband. The passions of the women are equally vio- 
