Page 390 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

XXI.] TRAVELS IN OMAN. 351

they accompany the operation by a not un­
pleasing song.
Of fruit, which is produced in such abun­

dance, they partake but sparingly ; but seem
extremely fond of sugar-cane, large quantities

of which are daily sold at the market.
Of fish, the largest, such as the shark and
dolphin, are, by some strange perversion of

taste, the most valued.
In the country, females go with their faces

uncovered ; but at Maskat they wear a singu­

lar description of veil of an oblong form, about
ten inches in length, and seven in breadth,

embroidered with a .gold border. In the
middle, so as to cross in a vertical direction
immediately over the nose, there is a piece of

whalebone answering as a stiffener; and on
either side of this two small apertures, through

which they obtain a view of passing objects.
Among the lower classes, their dress other­
wise consists of a loose pair of drawers, with a

running girdle, and a large gown or skirt of
blue cotton ; their arms and ankles are deco­

rated with bracelets and ankle-rings of silver
or amber; and in their ears they wear a

variety of rings and other ornaments. The
dress of the more respectable females is quite