so remarkable as in Bushwomen. The thigh bones of those who
were above the middle age, appeared bowed outwards m an unusual
deeree or rather, the outer part of them was exceedingly protuberant.
As to the cause of this deformity, I can only venture
a supposition, that it may be an enlargement of that process of the
bone, called trochanter major. But in this I do not pretend to
any positive opinion an d leave it to be determ.ned by those who
may hereafter have an opportunity of examining the skeleton of a
Bushwoman of this conformation.
One of the mothers told me, with evident distress, that she was
soon to be parted from her only daughter, of whom she was affectionately
fond, and who was now considered old enough to live in her
husband’s hut. The girl herself was sitting by, and, on hearing this
mentioned, she turned her face downwards, with an unaffected bashfulness,
and with a natural and interesting expression of genuine innocence,
which would well have become the most civilized ot her sex.
With regard to polygamy, I was told that a second wife is never
taken until the first, as before stated, has become old, not m years, but
in constitution: and sometimes, though rarely, a third supplies, ,n like
manner, the place of the second. This was generally the greatest
extent of their polygamy ; nor, were the old wives, on that account,
neglected or left unprovided for by their husbands ; but constantly,
remained with him on the same terms as before. I could not learn
that any nice feelings of jealousy between these wives, ever disturbed
the harmony Some meonf tphaes sfianmg ilbyy., seemed much amused at my questions,
and joined us : on which, I inquired of the women if their husbands
ever beat them ; well knowing that this subject was one of great importance
in their domestic arrangements. The men laughed, and
quickly replied,-« N o No.” The women as loudly cried, «Y es
Yes they beat us on the h ea d -so .” And sufficiently proved the
truth of .their assertion, by the ready and natural manner m which
they imitated this act of conjugal discipline. .
I then quitted this party, who appeared happy a n d pleased at
m y stopping with them so long, and continued my visit to the
different houses. In one, a little family group were drinking their
goats-milk from a leathern bowl, and in a manner perfectly novel.
Of all the instruments for conveying liquid to the mouth, a brush
must appear the least adapted to such a purpose: but with no
other means than this, they emptied their bowl; and perhaps have
discovered that the greater length of time which this mode requires,
prolongs also the pleasure of their meal. The brush was made of
strong hair, and of a thickness sufficient to fill the mouth. The
manner of using it, was by dipping it into the bowl, and sucking the
milk out of it.
A short distance farther, I met an old woman, who, having heard
that I was desirous of knowing every thing relative to their customs,
very good-naturedly stopped me to show her hands, and bade me observe
that the little finger of the right hand had lost two joints, and
that of the left, one. She explained to me, that they had been cut
off at different times, to express grief or mourning for the death
of three daughters. After th'is, I looked more attentively at those
whom I met, and saw many other women, and some of the men,
with their hands mutilated in the same manner ; but it was only their
little fingers which were thus shortened; and probably the loss of those
joints was found to occasion no inconvenience.
‘ Coming up to another party of men who were repairing, and
putting in order, their bows and arrows, I requested one of them, an
old man who seemed to be their head, to shoot at a mark, that I
might have an opportunity of witnessing their expertness in hitting
an object. He readily granted my request, by appointing another,
who, he said, was a much better marksmen than himself, to exhibit
his skill. The skin of an antelope, measuring in surface about seven
square feet, was fixed to a pole, at the distance of forty yards. The
Bushman then advanced towards it, stooping down, or creeping slowly
along the ground, as if in pursuit of game and endeavouring to
approach it without being seen. He let fly his arrow when within
twenty yards, and, to my surprise, missed the skin even at this
short distance; but, on a second trial, he was more successful.