Page:History of India Vol 9.djvu/46

 22 ACCOUNT OF INDIA BY STRABO some, on the other side of the Akesines and of the Hyarotis, on the confines of the territory of the other Poros, the nephew of the Poros who was taken pris- oner by Alexander, and call the country subject to him Gandaris. A very singular usage is related of the high esti- mation in which the inhabitants of Kathaia hold the quality of beauty, even in the matter of beauty in horses and dogs. According to Onesikritos, they elect the handsomest person as king. [It is likewise their custom regarding children that] a child undergoes a public inspection and examination two months after birth. They determine whether it has the amount of beauty required by law, and whether it is worthy to be permitted to live. The presiding magistrate then pronounces whether it is to be allowed to live or whether it is to be put to death. They dye their heads with various and extremely striking colours, for the purpose of improving their ap- pearance. This custom prevails elsewhere among many of the Indians, who pay great attention to their hair and dress; and the country produces colours of great beauty. In other respects the people are frugal, but are fond of ornament. A peculiar custom is related of the Kathaioi. The bride and the husband are respectively the choice of each other, and the wives burn themselves with their deceased husbands. The reason assigned for this practice is that the women sometimes fell in love with young men, and deserted or poisoned their husbands. This law was