Diary of a Journey to the Amaquas. 189 



does generally occasion the separation of the major part from 

 that which bears the poison, and on the site of the latter is 

 also frequently attached, a small barb of quill or fine iron, so 

 as to assist more effectually in rendering extraction almost 

 impossible. With the view of ensuring the arrow a straight 

 course when ejected from the bow, they in common with all 

 others who use the like instrument, attach a portion of feather 

 to its hinder extremity. Of such, thus completed, every Bush- 

 man will perhaps be supplied with fifty or sixty, and those he 

 carries in a sort of quiver formed of the bark of the Kokker- 

 boom, from which the woody part has been excavated. When, 

 however, in a state of war, or in pursuit of game, he generally 

 holds more or less loose in his hand, and when about to shoot, 

 always places them in a convenient situation upon the ground. 



The poison they employ is manufactured in various ways, so 

 as to concentrate and render it adapted for application to the 

 arrows. The most virulent sort, and that which they usually 

 employ when they go against their enemies, is chiefly com- 

 posed of the poison of snakes; the next to that is one obtained 

 from the larvse of an insect, found upon a bush growing near 

 the Orange River; and the third is of vegetable origin, and 

 called the malkop poison, on account of the peculiar effects it 

 produces upon the senses. This last is not considered so 

 serious in its consequences as either of the others, and is the 

 6ort commonly employed upon arrows destined for killing game. 



Such then are a few of the points of interest connected with 

 the history of the Bushmen ; and though far from exhausting 

 the subject, or even including all that my own notes would 

 afford, yet I am induced to conclude for the present, with an 

 earnest recommendation to such of the members as may have 

 been in the habit of observing our savage tribes, to embody 

 their remarks for occasions like the present, as by such pro- 

 ceedings, they may advance their individual reputations, at the 

 same time that they acquire a consequence and character for 

 our Institution, which must be dear to all of us who feel a 

 pride in the success of enterprizes in which we have a share. 



Diary of a Journey made by Governor Simon van der 

 Stell, to the country of the Amaquas, in the year 1685. 

 Translated from the Dutch by W. L. von Buchen- 

 roder, Esq. Member of the South African Institution. 



[Continued from p. 48.] 

 Sunday, 16th. — We made preparations for conveying our 

 baggage over the Olifants River ; but on account of the rain 

 it could not be effected, and we were therefore obliged to 



