THE BUSHMAN'S LANGUAGE. 



tortions produced by some beginner trying to play by 

 notes, on scientific principles. When one advances, and 

 makes the acquired knowledge subservient to the natural, 

 the admired effect is then produced. 



A ring, composed of grease, wax, and wood, is worn on 

 the head of the Kaffir men. I believe it to be a sign of 

 a man having arrived at the dignity of marriage ; it is 

 called esikoko, the two k's signifying two clicks of the 

 tongue. 



This clicking is a peculiarity of several South- African 

 languages. The Bushmen, Hottentots, and Kaffirs have 

 each several clicks. The Natal Kaffirs use but three, and 

 these not frequently, as there are few words but can be 

 understood without the click. In the Bushmen's lan- 

 guage, very many are used, and I have heard that a 

 Bushman is not considered to speak his language ele- 

 gantly until age has deprived him of all his teeth. These 

 curious little men use a great deal of action during their 

 conversation ; and it is said, that if a Bushman wishes to 

 talk during a dark night, he is obliged to light a fire, to 

 enable the listeners to see his action, and thereby fully to 

 comprehend his meaning. A deadly hatred exists between 

 the Kaffirs and the Bushmen, and war to the knife is the 

 result of any chance encounter, always supposing that 

 neither party can retreat, as they have a mutual dread of 

 each other. 



I soon made inquiries with reference to the game in 

 the Natal district, and was informed that the following 

 were the principal animals that were plentiful; viz., 

 snipe, quail, partridges of three species, pheasant, two 



