AFRICA. 63 
and leave it in this ftate for two days, v/hich 
are fafficient to produce^ a fermentation. 
When this begins, they tear off the hair, 
which almoft drops of itfelf; and then, by 
rubbing, give the fkin a kind of preparation. 
It is afterward left for a whole day entirely 
covered with leaves of the Hottentot fig-tree, 
well foaked and pounded i and when this 
operation is finifhed, the fibres, and all the 
flediy parts that can be perceived, are fcraped 
away; till at length, by force of rubbing it 
with mutton greafe, the krpfs acquires all 
the foftnefs and flexibility of woven cloth. 
It may be readily perceived that this pro- 
cefs differs very little from thofe employed 
by furriers and tanners in Europe; but, with 
whatever ingenuity the Hottentots may pre- 
pare their furs and Ikins, they will never ap- 
proach ours until they have paiTed through 
the hands of the perfumer. 
If the llcin be dry, and, whether it has 
been ufed or nut, retains the hair ; and if a 
Hottentot, for want of another, wifhes to 
convert it into a krofs for fiimmer, this la- 
bour requires other care, and it becomes 
much more tedious and minute. With the 
rib bone of a fheep he forms a kind of chifel, 
which 
