Observations on the Origin of the Bushmen. 1SH 



The inefficiency, however, of such clothing, induces them 

 to have recourse to other means of protection, besides those 

 which have been detailed, and particularly to that of anoint- 

 ing their bodies and limbs with fat, either pure or variously 

 adulterated. In the practice of this, they have always a two- 

 fold object in view, namely — the protection of their skin 

 against the parching effects of heat and wind, and the agility 

 and pliability ensured to the muscles and joints ; and what- 

 ever may be said against the custom, it is certainly a neces- 

 sary and highly beneficial one, to such as are without those 

 complete coverings, which more civilized life supplies. The 

 necessity of often exposing themselves during the great heat 

 of the day, doubtless soon made them aware of the want of 

 some protection against a powerful sun, and suggested the 

 present method they pursue of forming a sort of umbrella by the 

 disposing of ostrich feathers round the extremity of a common 

 walking stick All, as well male as female, betray a remark- 

 able anxiety after ornaments, and evince a marked desire for 

 every article that appears to them either gaudy or uncommon. 

 Amongst such, the most in esteem are perhaps beads, buttons, 

 and pieces of copper, brass, or polished steel ; and what of 

 those they happen to procure, they attach to different parts, — 

 such as the neck, ears, hair, loins, extremities, &c. and not 

 unfrequently also to their different articles of clothing. In- 

 deed so strong is their love of decoration, that they will in 

 the absence of the more desired objects for that purpose, em- 

 ploy those of their own construction, — such as sashes formed 

 of circular pieces of the shell of the ostrich egg, pieces of 

 wood, teeth of wild animals, shells, young tortoises, &c. and 

 those they display in different positions and forms, according 

 to the fancies of xhe wearers. 



The circumstance of their having no fixed abodes, goes to 

 prevent them from having any established huts ; and the 

 constant necessity of moving from one place to another in 

 quest of an uncertain and scanty subsistence, inclines them 

 to bestow little care or labour on their temporary dwellings. 

 They either erect a shelter of bushes for the night, under the 

 shade of which they repose, or dig a hole in the ground into 

 which they creep, or else seek a refuge in some natural cre- 

 vice of a rock, or under a projecting stone, either of which 

 they consider as quite sufficient for a transient residence. 

 Though such is the general method they follow, in protecting 

 themselves against the effects of the weather during the 

 periods of their repose, yet some are more particular, and ex- 

 tend their consideration so far as to supply themselves with 

 a sort of mat, which they place nearly upright by means of a 

 couple of poles, viz. — one at each extremity, and under the 

 protection of that, they seek their rest. 



