the head to the
forehead, just in that spot where the little girls to whom I am writing
part their hair. Attached to this, I have seen a circular piece of gold
filled with rubies. Rings are worn on the toes as well as on the
fingers, and bracelets of gold or silver on the wrists. Anklets similar
to bracelets, and tinkling ornaments are worn on the ankles. The poor,
who cannot afford to wear gold or silver bracelets, have them made of
glass stained with different colors. I have seen nearly a dozen on each
wrist.

The little boys wear gold or silver bracelets; also gold or silver
anklets. I just alluded to finger-rings. I have seen a dozen on the same
hand. In this part of the country, the little opening which is made in
the ears of the children is gradually distended until it becomes very
large. At first, the opening is only large enough to admit a wire. After
this has been worn for a short time, a knife is introduced into the ear
in the direction of the opening, and an incision made large enough to
admit a little cotton. This is succeeded by a roll of oiled cloth, and
by a peculiar shrub, the English name of which, if it has any, I do not
know. When the hole becomes sufficiently large, a heavy ring of lead,
about an inch in diameter, is introduced. This soon increases the size
of the opening to such an extent, that a second, and afterwards a third,
a fourth, and a fifth ring are added. By these weights, the lower parts
of the ear are drawn down sometimes very nearly, or quite to the
shoulders. Not unfrequently the little girls, when they run, are obliged
to catch hold of these rings to prevent the injury which they would
receive by their striking against their necks. I need hardly say, that
in due time, these rings are removed, and ornamented rings are
substituted.

A different plan is pursued with the Mohammedan little girls. They have
their ears bored from the top to the bottom of the ear. The openings
which are at first made are small, and are never enlarged. A ring is
inserted in each of these openings. I have seen a little girl to-day in
whose ears I counted twenty-four rings.

Flowers in great profusion are sometimes used to add to the adornment of
the jewels.

I cannot conclude my account of the jewels of the little girls, without
giving you a description of the appearance of a little patient of mine
who came here a few days ago, loaded with trinkets. I will give it in
the words of my daughter, which she wr