184 
SOUTHERN AFRICA. 
milder measures have been first tried ; where, 
unfortunately, their blood is shed, it must be 
allowed that it is, virtually, their own deed. 
Perhaps the most pleasing thought, in con- 
nection with them, is the fact of their rapid 
diminution in number — whether from disease or 
want, it is difficult to determine. They are, 
however, fast passing away ; and it is earnestly 
to be hoped, that they will soon be no longer 
a burden to themselves, and a degradation to 
the human species ; but that the fact of their 
existence will remain only as a matter of history. 
It is hard to ascertain whether disease makes 
much havoc amongst them : it is certain, how- 
ever, that they have no kind of surgery or 
medical treatment to counteract it. Their only 
attempt to arrest sickness or death, appears to 
be in cutting off the little fingers, which is a 
practice universally adopted when they be- 
come ill. 
The only vestiges of civilization that exist 
amongst them, are their paintings; which, as 
the best feature in their history, may close this 
sketch. In these, (which, however, are mainly 
among the Korunna and Vaal Bushmen,) they, 
at times, display much ingenuity and cleverness 
in copying. They execute them on the walls of 
their caves, and with various coloured clays in- 
stead of paint. The subjects are usually hunting 
