Hair.—The hair of the head is of a glossy black—not frizzy, but often wavy and curly; the beard grows abundantly (ol. 107, figs. 2, 3, 8); it is often shaved, except on the tipper lip, as is also the hair on the head of the men, with the exception of a few curls at the vertex and on the temples (p1. 107, figs. 4, 6, 8).
Skull.—The shape of the skull is generally mesocephalic, with a tend ency to dolichocephalism (WeIcker). The face forms an oval; the fore head is free; the eyes are dark, black or brown, and large; the eyebrows generally curved and finely formed; the nose frequently with the Roman curve, as is shown in our illustrations 107, figs. i-7). This type is best developed among the Brahmans, but it is by no means absent among the Pariahs (pl. Io7, fig. 6).
Dress and Ornaments.—The dress, of which we present several illus trations, is of linen, cotton, and silk (p1. ro7,figs. 1-7, 8, 9; pl. ro8, fig. 1). The hair and beard are often dyed. The finger- and toe-nails of the women, as also their nipples, which are exposed (p1. ro7, figs. 5, 9), are always painted red; their eyelashes and eyebrows are dyed black with antimony. The Indians have various fans (p1. 107, figs. 8, 9); diverse ornaments, as necklaces, bracelets, and ear-rings (p1. 107, figs. 4, 7; p1. ro8, figs. 1, 5); pearls and flowers in the hair, nay even in the pierced nostrils (p1. 107, fig. 5); and veils (p1. 107, fig. 7; p1. ro8, fig. 4), etc. The painted marks and stripes over or between the eyes or on the neck (p1. 107, fig. 6) are signs of the different castes (pl. 107, figs. 1-7, 8, 9; pl loS,figs. 1, 5), but a light kind of tattooing is frequently used.
Dwellings.—The elaborate buildings of the Indians and the extrava gant taste exhibited in their plastic art are well known. The houses in the large cities are comfortably built in Oriental style, with flat roofs and projecting balconies and platforms or verandas (p1. 107, fig. 8), for we have adopted into our civilization both the word and the object to which it belongs. Gardens, which are popular (p1. 107, fig. 9), are cultivated with great art. In that hot climate the people live mostly in the open air; many are satisfied with plain structures ro8, fig. 5) which suffice
for shelter; and the Brahmans especially are wont to live in a simple style ioS, fig. 3).
people are valiant enough, hut they have no enter prise. They are fond of repose, but arc also industrious, persevering, and patient at their labor. Their chief endeavor is to calm the passions of this earthly life and to gain eternal peace in God; and therefore they rarely exhibit passion. They have great abilities, and are anxious to learn, but they have a decided tendency to speculative meditations. Their penitents and saints are extremely ascetic.
government has always been an absolute monarchy, hereditary by primogeniture, and the king may in time of need demand from one-twelfth to one-fourth of all private property (except that of the Brahmans) as a tax. War-services are recompensed by investiture with land. In former times military duty was confined to the Kshattriya, or the caste of warriors, and the other castes were able to pursue quietly their work even in times of war. The king (././. ro7, jig. 8) and his principal wife (pl. 107, fig. 9) are objects of the highest veneration. The weapons of the Indians in ancient and mediaeval times were bows and arrows, clubs, discuses, spears, swords, shields, and war-chariots; at present only firearms are used.
Family is contracted at a very early age, and its cere monies vary according to the different religions. In ancient times the man took the band of the woman and walked around the altar with her. The woman remains dependent, but not secluded in the house, and is treated respectfully. The husband gives presents to his wife's parents. Polygamy is frequent, although of late origin, and there are evidences that polyandry was practised in ancient times. Sntteeism is now abolished. Among people of rank the wife often desired to accompany her husband into the other life; but self-immolation was never universal, and was always voluntary. It was believed that every woman thus immolated would live in joy with her husband 35,000,00o years, while otherwise she would have no place in paradise.