jip'siz, a wandering nation, whose physical characteristics, language and customs differ much from those of European nations. They call themselves Rommany, from rom (man). The gypsies are now considered to have come from India, the main body of their language, though mixed with a great number of borrowed words, having a close affinity with some of the Indian languages. Gypsies are remarkable for the yellow-brown or, rather, olive color, of their skin, the jet-black of their hair and eyes, the extreme whiteness of their teeth and, generally, the symmetry of their limbs. The typical gypsies rarely settle permanently anywhere, but live in tents, wandering about working in wood and iron, making domestic utensils, telling fortunes and practicing tricks. Their talent for music is remarkable, and some of their melodies have become the much-valued property of other nations or are incorporated in some favorite operas. They have no stated religion. The marriage ceremony is of the simplest kind. If the husband becomes tired of his wife, he will turn her off without a qualm. The children grow up in idleness and acquire the habits of stealing and cheating. In England the gypsies first appeared about the beginning of the sixteenth century and, notwithstanding severely repressive enactments on the part of the government, continued to maintain themselves as tinkers and mat and basket makers. Considerable numbers of the British gypsies have emigrated to America, where they settle among the people and lose their distinctive characteristics. There are probably about a half million in southeastern Europe, but their numbers are everywhere decreasing.