'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎670] (769/905)

670
POLITENESS OF THE ARABS.
[CHAP. XXV.
instead of the powder-horns and other articles, he is provided
with a particular kind of belt, which is either worn round
the waist, or over the shoulder, and contains a certain number
of separate charges; each enclosed in a piece of reed corked
at the upper end. The balls are apart in a leather pouch, so
Chain armour that the whole is ready for use in a moment. Chain armour
and hdn^ts ^ gteelj an ^1^ ; also padded armour, made of
soft leather, are occasionally seen in some parts of Nedjd, as
well as the adjoining territory of Yemen: whatever the
armour be, it is constantly worn, for it is the custom of the
Arab to be at all times equally prepared for hostilities; a feel
ing of security being quite unknown to him.
Cleanliness of The day commences with prayers ; but a scarcity of water,
the Arabs. ^ tdt ^ difficulty of carrying it, compels the Arab to
dispense with most of the ablutions enjoined by the Koran;
yet, considering the circumstances in which he is placed, and
particularly his wandering life, the habits of the Arab are
cleanly. Even in the Desert, he always washes his hands,
before, as well as after a meal; and he appears to take more
pains with his face and teeth, than is customary among Euro
peans. According to Burckhardt, 1 the tooth-ache is unknown
in Arabia.
Salutations. Gravity of demeanour, and natural politeness, approaching
to formality, appear to be an inseparable part of the Arab's
character. He never enters, nor leaves a tent, without ex
changing the usual forms of recognition and salutation with
all those who may happen to be present. These salutations
which include kissing on each cheek, when the parties have
not met for some little time, are repeated with untiring pati
ence through the round of visits, which occupy each successive
day.
The women are nearly of the same complexion as the men,
but they have rather less of the olive colour. Their faces,
particularly round the eyes, together with their hands and
feet, are stained with indigo, which is worked under the skin
with the point of a needle, so as to represent stars and other
1 Bedawln and WahMbi, p. 54.