AFRICA. 41 
thought proper to believe that thefe vermiu 
are a ready refource for the Hottentots, and 
form part of their nouriihment, and perhaps 
even a delicacy. Nothing can be more falfe 
than this ridiculous affertion : on the con- 
trary, I can fafely declare that they perform 
this office or ceremony with as much difguft 
as our women or fervant maids perform it 
with contrary fenfations with refped to our 
children* 
I have before advanced that the Gonaqua 
women aflume in their drefs an air of ele* 
gance unknown to the Hottentots of the 
colonies. Their garments, however, do not 
differ in their fliape, except that the former 
wear them larger ; and that the apron of mo- 
defty, which they call neuyp-hrofs^ is wider, 
and defcends almoft to the knees. But it is 
in ornaments, I might rather fay the em- 
broidery lavillied oa their dreffes, that the 
riches and magnificence upon which they 
pique themfelves confift. It is, above all, in 
the arrangement of the apron that they dif- 
play their art and their tafte, The delign, 
the diftributlon of the compartments, and 
the mixture of the colours, all are particu- 
larly attended to, The more their veftments 
are 
