23G NATURAL HISTORY OF 



tribes of nearly pure Negro blood. They have formed states 

 of some extent; they build large towns; possess the art of 

 smelting and working metals; are very considerable graziers; 

 and have some agriculture. The Caffres have trained their 

 war or Bakeley Oxen to be ridden in battle ; * have large, and, 

 in some measure, organized armies, distinguished by decorated 

 spears for ensigns, and shields painted with different cogni- 

 zances for each corps. Among the men there are individuals 

 nearly seven feet in height; and the women frequently possess 

 considerable beauty. Extending on the south-east coast to 

 Port Natal, they have all, it is asserted, formerly migrated 

 from the north-west, or Central Africa ; but this is evidently 

 only the expansion of increased population, which, in earlier 

 ages, shrunk from the barren coasts, and, since returning, have 

 directed their march to the south-east. 



Next, or perhaps superior to them in energy, are the Galla 

 or Sidana nation, constantly encroaching on the Abyssinian 

 states, and containing several mighty tribes ; such as the 

 Sooalla, seated from the equator to Mozambique ; the Soomal- 

 lees on the north of them, and the pure Gallas in the interior, 

 who are chiefly composed of Carrachi and Boiran tribes — all 

 speaking dialects of one great language. 



In the east, the propensity to an aquatic life is likewise man- 

 ifest, for true oriental Negroes inhabit the Nicobar islands, and 

 spread through many Australasian, Philippine, and more east- 

 ern groups, though they are often intermixed with Malay, or 

 with Hindoo races, who have modified their characteristic dis- 



* No doubt, oxen 'were ridden in India before war-horses "were intro- 

 duced by the north-western conquerors. There exist allusions to the prac- 

 tice ; and I have copied an Indian Rajah, seated on his war-ox, from a 

 painting on ivory. Siva on the bull Nundi represents the same fact ; and 

 the African Caffres, having the like custom, may indicate the region 

 whence they emigrated, and the date as anterior to the arrival of domes- 

 ticated horses in southern Asia. 



