Page 225 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

1 206 COAST OF ARABIA. [CH.

said the father; “ our lives are in the hands of
I God. Cut off the limb ; and He that is mer­

ciful will watch over his recovery.” In this
I
prayer the son joined; but the surgeon, for
!
obvious reasons, would not consent.
These Arabs have a singular custom of
making incisions almost to the quick in the
thick skin forming the soles of their feet,
i which they afterwards thrust close to the fire.
This operation, aided by a few cups of coffee,
mingled with spices and pepper, is pro­
nounced to be an excellent preventative
against the effects of the cold. It is remark­
able, at Jedda, Mecca, and some other towns
on this coast, that the inhabitants should have
also retained the absurd and barbarous cus­
tom of tattooing. They usually exhibit three

perpendicular scars, measuring about two
inches, on either cheek. This custom, called
Meshali, and performed at an early age, is
variously accounted for. Some attribute it to
a desire of preventing the formation of bad
humours about the eyes; others say it is a
proof of their birth on holy ground. On
the opposite or African shore, the custom is
very prevalent, and whole tribes are there