Chap. XVIII. AFKICAN DIALECTS. 339 



instance, among the tribes of the humid central basin, appear of 

 a sickly sallow hue, when compared with the aboriginal inha- 

 bitants ; the Batoka also, who lived in an elevated region, are, 

 when seen in company with the Batoka of the rivers, so much 

 lighter in colour, they might be taken for another tribe ; but their 

 language, and the very marked custom of knocking out the upper 

 front teeth, leave no room for doubt that they are one people. 



Apart from the influences of elevation, heat, humidity, and 

 degradation, I have imagined that the lighter and darker 

 colours observed in the native population, run in five longi- 

 tudinal bands along the southern portion of the continent. 

 Those on the seaboard of both the east and west are very dark ; 

 then two bands of lighter colour lie about three hundred miles 

 from each coast, of which the westerly one, bending round, em- 

 braces the Kalahari Desert and Bechuana countries ; and then 

 the central basin is very dark again. Tins opinion is not given 

 with any degree of positiveness. It is stated just as it struck 

 my mind in passing across the country, and if incorrect, it is 

 singular that the dialects spoken by the different tribes, have 

 arranged themselves in a fashion which seems to indicate migra- 

 tion along the lines of colour. The dialects spoken in the ex- 

 treme south, whether Hottentot or Caffre, bear a close affinity 

 to those of the tribes living immediately on their northern 

 borders : one glides into the other, and their affinities are so 

 easily detected, that they are at once recognised to be cognate. 

 If the dialects of extreme points are compared, as that of the 

 Caffres and the tribes near the Equator, it is more difficult to 

 recognise the fact, which is really the case, that all the dialects 

 belong to but two families of languages. Examination of the 

 roots of the words of the dialects, arranged in geographical 

 order, shows that they merge into each other, and there is not 

 nearly so much difference between the extremes of east and 

 west as between those of north and south ; the dialect spoken at 

 Tete resembling closely that in Angola. 



Having, on the afore-mentioned date, reached the village of 

 Njambi, one of the chiefs of the Chiboque, we intended to pass a 

 quiet Sunday ; and our provisions being quite spent, I ordered a 

 tired riding-ox to be slaughtered. As we wished to be on good 

 terms with all, we sent the hump and ribs to Njambi, with the 



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