THE CONGO IN 1863. 
91 
The people much resemble those of the Gaboon. The 
figure is well formed, except the bosom, whose shape 
prolonged lactation, probably upon the principle called 
Malthusian, soon destroys ; hence the first child is said 
to “make the breasts fall.” The face is somewhat broad 
and flat, the jowl wide, deep, and strong, and the cere- 
bellum is highly developed as in the Slav. The eye is 
well opened, with thick and curly lashes, but the tunica 
conjunctiva is rarely of a pure white ; the large teeth 
are of good shape and colour. Extensive tattoos appear 
on breasts, backs, and shoulders ; the wearers are 
generally slaves, also known by scantier clothing, by 
darker skins, and by a wilder expression of countenance. 
During their “ country nursing,” the children run about 
wholly nude, except the coating of red wood applied by 
the mothers, or the dust gathered from the ground. I 
could not hear of the weaning custom mentioned by 
Merolla, the father lifting the child by the arm, and 
holding him for a time hanging in the air, “ falsely 
believing that by those means he will become more 
strong and robust.” Whilst the men affect caps, the 
women go bare-headed, either shaving the whole scalp, 
or leaving a calotte of curly hair on the poll ; it resembles 
the Shushah of Western Arabia and East Africa, but it 
is carried to the fore like a toucan’s crest. Some, by 
way of coquetterie, trace upon the scalp a complicated 
network, showing the finest and narrowest lines of black 
wool and pale skin : so the old traveller tells us “ the 
heads of those who aspire to glory in apparel resemble 
a parterre, you see alleys and figures traced on them 
with a great deal of ingenuity.” The bosom, elaborately 
bound downwards, is covered with a square bit of stuff’, 
or a calico jxupie — most ungraceful of raiment — wrapped 
under the arms, and extending to the knees : 
“ In longitude though sorely scanty. 
It is their best, and they are vaunty.” 
The poor and the slaves content themselves with grass 
cloth. The ornaments are brass earrings, beads and 
imitation coral ; heavy bangles and manillas of brass 
