STRANGE CUSTOM. 261 



The colour of the natives differs from a shade of 

 brown or copper hue to a deep black, but the later 

 is by no means common. The snuff-boxes which 

 they wear "in their ears, and the copper and ivory 

 rings with which all the Caffer tribes adorn their 

 wrists and ankles, destroy the effect which their fine 

 symmetrical limbs would otherwise produce in the 

 sight of Europeans. 



The first fruits of the season are not allowed to be 

 gathered in without permission from the Great Chief. 

 When they are brought as an offering to the captain, 

 dancing and other festivities usher in this joyful 

 season. There is some wisdom in this sumptuary 

 law, as the people are so improvident that, were there 

 no restraint imposed, they would consume a large 

 portion of their corn while it was green, altogether 

 without any regard to their future wants. A singular 

 custom prevails amongst the tribe on the death of a 

 man, his relatives being obliged to present an ox to 

 the Chief, by way of consoling him for the loss he 

 has sustained through the death of one of his 

 subjects. 



In consequence of the indolent habits of the 

 Amakosa and Amatembou tribes, who leave the cul- 

 tivation of their lands entirely to the female part of 

 the community, while the men lead a pastoral life 

 in attending their cattle, occasionally enjoying the 

 pleasures of the chase, they are frequently deprived 

 of the fruits of the earth, and suffer much privation 



