AFRICA. .69 
tots are able to throw it much farther : it is 
only in a clofe engagement that it can be of 
any utility. It has the fame flbape as a lance 
in every other country ; but as it is intended 
to be thrown at the enemy, or at animals, 
the wood of thofe ufed in Africa is much 
lighter and weaker, and continues diminifli- 
ing in thicknefs to the extremity oppofite to 
the iron point. 
The ufe of thefe weapons is very ill under- 
flood ; for the warrior who wields them with 
the greateft fkill is alfo the fooneft difarmed. 
The Gonaquas, and all the other Hottentots, 
never carry but one ; and the embarraffment 
which they generally caufe, as well as the 
little advantage they derive from them, fuf- 
ficiently prove that they are not their fa- 
vourite means of defence ; which may lead 
us to conclude that bows and arrows are the 
natural and proper arms of a Hottentot. I 
have feen fome of them that difplayed much 
addrefs in throwing the affagay ; but the 
greater part of them are entirely unacquaint- 
ed with it. The cafe however is not the 
fame with the Caffres, who have no other 
weapons 5 but of thefe I {hall fpeak here- 
aften 
F 3 Such 
