Capt. They have dwellings in common and dormitories, and
couches and other necessaries. But at the end of every six
months they are separated by the masters. Some shall sleep in
this ring, some in another; some in the first apartment, and
some in the second; and these apartments are marked by means
of the alphabet on the lintel. There are occupations, mechani-
cal and theoretical, common to both men and women, with this
difference, that the occupations which require more hard work,
and walking a long distance, are practised by men, such as
ploughing, sowing, gathering the fruits, working at the thresh-
ing-floor, and perchance at the vintage. But it is customary to
choose women for milking the cows and for making cheese. In
like manner, they go to the gardens near to the outskirts of the
city both for collecting the plants and for cultivating them. In
fact, all sedentary and stationary pursuits are practised by the
women, such as weaving, spinning, sewing, cutting the hair,
shaving, dispensing medicines, and making all kinds of gar-
ments. They are, however, excluded from working in wood
and the manufacture of arms. If a woman is fit to paint, she
is not prevented from doing so; nevertheless, music is given
over to the women alone, because they please the more, and of
a truth to boys also. But the women have not the practise of
the drum and the horn.

And they prepare their feasts and arrange the tables in the
following manner. It is the peculiar work of the boys and
girls under twenty to wait at the tables. In every ring there
are suitable kitchens, barns, and stores of utensils for eating