On the Velocity of Sound. 157 



cessively in the 8ame gun, are so perfectly alike, so equally ignited, and 

 so equally resisted by the wadding, or whatever ebe is used for the 

 purpose, as to give exactly equal repoits. It is true, that, in the late 

 experiments in France, the velocity of sound was the same, whether 

 two or three pounds of powder were used ; but where powder has no- 

 thing to propel, a great part, especially of a larger charge, escapes 

 unbumt. For such reasons, the method of striking a bell at short 

 equal intervals by clock-work, though confined to a smaller range, pos- 

 sesses a precision of principle which can scarcely be looked for with guns. 

 Perhaps to the sources of acceleration formerly suggested, should be 

 added, the sudden gust of wind caused by the gi-eat burst of flame, &c. 

 from the mouth of the piece. H. M. 



Some Remai'hs on the Bushmen of Orange River. By Louis 

 Leslie, Esq. Assistant Surgeon, 45th Regiment. Com- 

 municated by Sir James M^'Grigor, Director-General of 

 the Army Medical Board. 



JL HE military post at Orange River being abandoned, the 

 same opportunities may not again be afforded to another, of ob- 

 serving the manners of the Bushmen, and giving to the Medical 

 Board some account of their poisoned arrows. In that neigh- 

 bourhood, and along the Hornberg .?, purer examples of that ex- 

 traordinary race are perhaps nowhere to be found ; and whatever 

 follows, regards only them, and may differ from any account of 

 other portions of the tribe along the African frontier. Small in 

 stature as the Hottentot race is, they are, in the quarter men- 

 tioned, less than any where else, seldom exceeding five feet, but 

 of the most perfect symmetry ; they are active in their move- 

 ments, but indolent in disposition ; their colour is dark, but is 

 rendered still darker by filth ; their features are pecuharly for- 

 bidding, on account of the great distortion of the bones of the 

 face ; and the facial angle approaches considerably to that of the 

 monkey. The Bushman will seldom submit to coercion and 

 restraint, — if he does, he becomes the Boor's most wretched me- 

 nial, and perhaps is worse treated than any slave in the world. In 

 the state of liberty, they dwell in craals, under the authority of a 

 chief, whose rank is among them hereditary. The number in one 

 craal seldom exceeds thirty — men, women, and children. Their 



