TRAVELS IN 
Though the Namaaqua Hottentots vary but little in 
pliysical character from the other tribes of this nation, their 
language is widely different. It is obviouslj^, however, of the 
same nature, and abounds with the clapping of the tongue 
peculiar to the Hottentot. They are of a taller stature in 
general than the eastern tribes, and less robust. Some of the 
women were elegant figures, and possessed a considerable 
share of \ivacity and activity ; and they had the same con- 
formation of certain parts of the body as the Bosjesmans 
women, and other Hottentots ; in a less degree, however, than 
is usual in the former, but more remarkable than in those of 
the latter. Like the Hottentot women of the East, the most 
ornamental part of their dress was the little square leather 
apron, to which, in addition to the border of shells or beads, 
were appended six or eight chains, in pairs, whose points 
dragged on the ground ; the upper part of each chain was 
copper, the lower of polished iron. They are supplied to them 
by the Damaras, a tribe of people to the northward, which 
will shortly be noticed. 
The huts of the Namaaquas differ very matmally from 
those erected by the Hottentots of the colony, or by the Bos- 
jesmans, or by the Kaffers. They are perfect hemispheres, 
covered with matting made of sedges ; and the frame-work, 
or skeletons, are semicircular sticks, half of them diminishing 
from the centre or upper part, and the other half crossing 
these at right angles ; forming thus a true representation of 
the parallels of latitude and meridians on an artificial globe. 
They are in general from ten to twelve feet in diameter; and 
