TENTS are- used as dwellings by all the nomade tribes of Asia, and by many of the races settled in towns. They are used throughout India by all travellers of any position, and during war are carried by the armies. They are made of cotton canvas, lined or unlined. A double-poled regula tion tent, of four cloths throughout, with four feet verandah, complete, with carpets, bamboo chicks, purdahs, gunny bags, and ropes, 28 feet by 1G feet, will coat Rs. 670, and 23 feet by 14 feet will cost Rs. 520.
A single-poled regulation tent, of four cloths throughout, with four feet verandah, complete as above, 1G feet square, will cost Rs. 450 ; 12 feet e.quare will cost Rs. 310.
Hill tents with four folds of cloth throughout, complete as above, 14 feet square, with two saiban Rs. 265 ; 10 feet square, with two eaiban, Rs. 200.
Swiss cottage tents, double fly, with saiban, complete as above, 16 feet aquare, Its. 390 ; 12 feet square, Rs. 300.
Rowti, five cloths to the fly, and four to the kanat, complete as above, 16 feet by 14 feet, Rs. 210 ; 13 feet by 12 feet, Rs. 175.
Shamianah, 40 feet square and 12 poles, Rs. 400 ; 15 feet square and 4 poles, Its. 90.
Bechobah tents, five cloths in fly, and four in kanat, as above, 12 feet square, Rs. 135 ; 8 feet square, Rs. 90.
Necessary tents and t,ents for servants, called pal, as also stable tents, are in use.
The pastoral races of Asia, who dwell in tents, make them of black felt. Indeed, the term
nomade designating these migratory nations is from Nomad, a felt.
The northern Arab calls the tent bis house (beit). Tho covering (zhaher-el-beit) consists of pieces of stuff made of black goats' hair, stitched together according to the depth of the tent. Some tents are of goats' hair stuff, white and black. It effectually keeps off the heaviest rain. It is snpported by nine poles or posts (amound or column), three in the middle and an equal number on each side. These several poles have distinct names. The middle ones are seven feet high ; the side ones only five, which obliges the person who enters to stoop a little. The tent is open before, and closed on the sides and back part to keep out the wind. It is divided into two parts ; the men's apartment (mekaad rabiaa) rind the women's (maharram), separated by a white woollen carpet drawn across the tent, and fastened to the three middle posts. In the men's apartment a carpet is some times laid on the ground. They recline upon the camels' pack-saddles, the wheat sacks and camel bags being piled up round the middle post. The women's apartment is the receptacle for the cook ing utensils, the butter and water skins, the provisions, and an the lumber of the tent.— Robinson's Travels, p. 133.