Page 275 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

250 COAST Ob' ARABIA. [CII.

stature ; the form of the face more length­
■
ened, their cheeks hollow, and their hair,
with the exception of two long curls on either
side (on which they bestow considerable
care), is permitted to flow as low as their
waist. The colour of their skin is lighter.
They are generally affected with cutaneous
disorders. The expression of their counte­
nance is unpleasing, and frequently knavish.
The Bedowins of the sea-coast, as in the in-
terior, are from necessity very abstemious in

their mode of living. A few dates, some salt
fish, a draught of water, with an occasional cup
of coffee, constitute their usual food. If to this,
on occasions of festivity, a sheep, with some
rice or unleavened bread be added, they pos­
sess all the luxuries they have ever known.
Honey may also be considered as forming
one of the principal articles of food with all
classes. The bees live in the hollows of the
rocks, and feed on the numerous aromatic
plants with which the northern part of Hejaz

is covered: repeated references to honey are
made in the Koran as a wholesome and nu-
tritious food, It was one of the few luxuries
in which Mohammed indulged. Such is the