Page:The Incas of Peru.djvu/156

122 fastened round the head by two bands. It was habitually worn, but when praying the Inca took it off, and put it on the ground beside him. The ceremonial head-dress was the mascapaycha, a golden semicircular mitre on the front of which the llautu was fastened. Bright-coloured feathers were fixed on the sides, and a plume rose over the summit. Long golden ear-drops came down to the shoulders. The tunic and mantle varied in colour, and were made of the finest vicuna wool. In war the mantle was twisted and tied up, either over the left shoulder or round the waist. On the breast the Incas wore a circular golden breastplate representing the sun, with a border of signs for the months. The later Incas wore a very rich kind of brocade, in bands sewn together, forming a wide belt. The bands were in squares, each with an ornament, and as these ornaments were invariable there was probably some meaning attached to them.

The material was called tocapu, and was generally worn as a wide belt of three bands. Some of the Incas had the whole tunic of tocapu. The breeches were black, and in loose pleats at the knees. The usutas, or sandals, were of white wool.

The Inca, equipped for war, had a large square shield of wood or leather, ornamented with patterns,