AFRICA. 49 
grains, the pellicle of which is oily, and of a 
reddifli colour. The Indian, who always 
goes nakedj never fails to rub hin:ifelf with 
thefe every morning from head to foot; and 
by means of this undlion he preferves him- 
felf from fun ftrokes, and from being flung 
by mofquitoes, and ohecks perfpiration, ge- 
nerally too copious between the tropics. 
When a Hottentot woman is ready to lie 
in, (he is vifited by an old woman of the 
horde, who attends her while hi labour^ and 
her delivery is always eafy. The iymphyfis 
and Casfarian operation are not known among 
thefe favages. No confultations are ever 
held, nor do they debate whether they 
muft fave the child at the expence of the 
life of the mother ; and (hould it happen, but 
this is extremely rare, that the life of both 
could not be preferved, a horrid diftinilion 
•would certainly not order the mother to be 
afTaflinated, and the child would not b$ 
fpared. 
I enquired of the Hottentots themfelves 
whether it was true that a mother who 
brings forth twins inftantly deftroys one of 
them. This crime againft nature is indeed 
very rare, and thefe people revolt at the 
Vol. IJ. E idea 
