Observations on the Origin of the Bushmen. 171 



two years, or they might be treated as pollards, and the stems 

 at a proper size be disposed of to the cabinet-maker, to whom 

 the wood is always valuable. 



This tree is a native of Japan, and from thence large 

 quantities of camphor is exported. It appears to have been 

 introduced into this Colony at an early period, being recorded 

 in the G.anlen List of 1695. 



(To be continued.) 



Observations relative to the Origin and History of the 

 Bushmen. By Andrew Smith, M.D. M.W.S. &c. 



[Read at the South African Institution.] 



That the genuine Hottentot, at least in an uncivilized state, 

 will doubtless ere long only be known to us through the 

 pages of history, is a position tenable, upon the rapid 

 decay of the race, its intermixture w r ith other varieties, and 

 the gradual extension of civilized life ; all now in active 

 progress, having a strong tendency to produce the state, and 

 hurry on to the period in anticipation. This apparent cer- 

 tainty of the approaching extinction, of at least the savage por- 

 tion of the race, points out the present as the latest stage 

 calculated for observing and recording information concerning 

 the peculiarities of their character and organization, which 

 nature herself will soon cease to supply, and declares that 

 every, even the most trifling, advance to this point will be 

 something gained for posterity. Under such impressions the 

 following remarks are offered to the notice of the Institution, 

 not so much from their being adapted to supply the numerous 

 wants, as for calling attention to the subject, and eliciting from 

 others the various and requisite details. 



The Aborigines of South Africa, under whatever local 

 names they may have passed, or still do pass, according to the 

 special tribes to which they may have belonged or do yet 

 Belong, will be found to have consisted, and still to consist, 

 only of two distinct races, namely, those of the Hottentot and 

 Caffer. The first of these, or that which from the circumstances 

 above alluded to has the greatest claim upon our immediate 

 attention, was, and to a certain extent is, even now divided 

 into distinct tribes or hordes ; each having its own distinctive 

 appellation, and, more or less, governed by its own laws. 

 Amongst those, one division lias always held, and still conti- 

 nues to hold, a most conspicuous position, and has ever been 



overbial with the rest, on account of its troublesome 

 • haracter and universally outrageous conduct. To this the 

 •;ther tribes, as well as its own member, apply the name of 



