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BIRMAH. 215
drags it down by the weight to the extent sometimes
of two inches. The women, likewise, have their dis-
tinguishing paraphernalia: their hair is tied in a
bunch at the top of the head, and bound round with
a fillet, the embroidery and ornaments of which ex-
press their respective ranks,
a short shift reaches
to the pit of the stomach, is drawn tight by strings,
and supports the bosom; over that is a loose jacket
with close sleeves ; round their waist they roll a long
piece of silk or cloth, which, reaching to their feet,
and sometimes trailing on the ground, encircles them
twice, and is then tucked in. When women of con-
dition go abroad, they put on a silk sash, resembling
a long shawl, which crosses the bosom, and is thrown
over the shoulders, gracefully flowing on each side.
The lowest class of females often wear only a> single
garment, in the form of a sheet, which, wrapped round
the body, and tucked in under the arm, crosses the
breast, which it scarcely conceals, and descends to
their ankles. Every woman, when walking, must shew
great part of her leg, as what may be called the petticoat
is always open in front, instead of being closed by
a seam.
"
Women, in full dress, stain the palms of their
hands and their nails of a red colour, for which they
use a vegetable juice, and strew on their bosoms powder
of sandal-wood, or of a bark called suneka, with which
some rub their faces. Men of rank wear, in common
dress, a tight coat, with long sleeves made of muslin,
or of extremely fine nankeen, which is manufactured
in the country; also a silk wrapper that encircles the
waist. The working class are usually naked to the
middle; but in the cold season, a mantle or vest of
European broad cloth is highly prized."
The description given by Colonel Symes of his