180 Observations on the Origin of the Bushmen* 



divisions, whereby all become acquainted with the discrepencies 

 of each other. Such communications, however, do not generally 

 take place between the Bushmen and other tribes, and conse- 

 quently the dialects of the latter, instead of having been and 

 continuing to be familiar to others, are distinctly known merely 

 to themselves ; and only if at all understood by strangers, after 

 long and serious consideration. That it is the seclusion and 

 not a radical distinction that renders it incomprehensible, is 

 distinctly evinced by the circumstance of those who live on 

 friendly terms with other Hottentot tribes, and unite more or 

 less therewith, expressing their own words by such a modified 

 pronunciation, as to render them quite intelligible, and to 

 bespeak the same root for all varieties. 



Their articles of clothing are very simple, rude, and ineffi- 

 cient. A kaross, somewhat in the form of a mantle, is sus- 

 pended over the shoulders, and is according to the season of 

 the year, or the temperature of the moment, either permitted 

 to hang loose behind the body, or made to envelope as much 

 thereof as its usual scanty dimension will possibly effect 

 Such is usually composed of sheep-skin, with the woolly-side 

 inwards, and forms almost their only protection against the 

 weather, being required to answer all the purposes of a 

 dress by day, and all the offices of a covering by night. Be- 

 sides that, both sexes have a more limited and partial one for 

 hiding what the dictates of modesty forbid to be exposed ; 

 and though the extent to which such concealment is carried 

 is different in each, yet to a certain extent the same objects 

 are kept in view. In the men, a portion of skin, usually 

 either of a jackall or wild cat, is suspended in front of the 

 body from a leathern giidle which encircles the loins, and 

 frequently a portion of dried leather hangs from the same be- 

 hind to conceal at least a portion of the after parts, when the 

 principal article of covering is too short to perform that office. 

 Amongst the women again, the article in question is more 

 extensive, and commonly consists of some ragged skins or 

 pieces of leather, variously fixed together and attached round 

 the loins, thereby enveloping more or less the whole of the 

 parts between those and the middle of the thighs. The 

 members of this sex also universally endeavour to procure 

 some sort of covering for their heads, which they usually 

 compose of the same article as that which forms the other 

 parts of their dress ; and if obtainable of sufficient size, ap- 

 ply it somewhat like a turban. The men on the other hand, 

 are commonly regardless of the part just adverted to, and 

 generally appear bareheaded, unless when hunting or ex- 

 posed to the influence of a very strong sun, on which occa- 

 sions they usually employ a sort of cap made of the dried skin 

 or some animal they may have killed in the chase. 



