DEPORTMENT OF SAVAGE NEGROES. 33 s 



the ground, and the roof -thatch, wisely taking care not to en- 

 counter any man, and is heartily glad when they hold him, take 

 his weapon away, and try to quiet him. There is seldom any 

 real clubbing. Appearing extremely angry, disputants stand 

 opposite one another, calling names in voices of excited tones. 

 If a real fight sets in, the bystanders interfere and separate them. 



The negro is capable of great endurance in work when he 

 makes up his mind to it. Field labor, felling of trees, and the 

 women's stamping of meal are performed standing ; other kinds 

 of work in a squatting or sitting posture. In making his imple- 

 ments the negro has a correct eye for articles he has once learned 

 to construct. His lances, arrow-heads, stools, and mortars are 

 shaped very exactly. But he has little sense for straight lines. A 

 common position at work is to sit with one knee drawn up to the 

 chin, while the other leg lies bent upon the ground, with the feet 

 touching ; or the workman sets the soles of his feet together and 

 spreads his knees out till he can work with both hands between 

 them. Holding under his left arm the object to be fashioned, he 

 draws his little sharp knife toward his body, cutting a thin, single 

 shaving. The knife is held in the right hand, and pressure is 

 applied from the third joint, counting from the tip of the fore- 

 finger. The object is held by the thumb and fore-finger of the 

 left hand, while the middle, fore, and little fingers of the same 

 hand are utilized in pressing upon the back of the knife. The 

 middle is the preferred finger in sewing, weaving, and other 

 minor hand labors, and even in untying knots. The toes are very 

 flexible, and are often engaged in holding goods on which sewing 

 is done. Articles upon the ground, provided they are not too 

 small or inconveniently large, are picked up with their aid. In 

 climbing trees, the foot is planted against the trunk, and the great 

 toe, spread out from the others, helps to secure the grip. An ex- 

 pert climbs with great skill and considerable speed, holding to 

 the trunk with his hands extended as far as possible, and pressing 

 against it with the soles of his feet, without touching it with his 

 arms, legs, or body. 



At eating, the negro, having always first washed his hands and' 

 rinsed his mouth, sits upon the ground ; holds the larger pieces 

 between his teeth while he cuts off a bite with his knife, but does 

 not use both hands to hold food, except in gnawing bones ; with 

 the usual dishes, he lays his right arm over his knees and, reach- 

 ing into the pot, molds the thick mess into lumps about the size 

 of a walnut, which he throws into his mouth with a jerk, without 

 scattering any of the food. To take out vegetables or soup, he 

 presses a hollow into the lump and dips with it. Politeness is 

 shown to the host or the housewife, after eating, by smacking 

 loudly enough to be heard. 



