AFRICA. 287 
are conftrufted of wooden work, well put 
together and very folid, becaufe it is intended 
to laft a long time. This they afterwards 
cover, both within and without, with a kind 
of mud or plafter made of cows dung and 
clay mixed up together, and fpread over it 
very fmoothly, Thefe huts exhibit to the 
eye an air of neatnefs which the habitations 
of the Hottentots undoubtedly have not ; 
and one would almofl: believe them to be 
done over with the fineft cement. The only 
opening which they have is fo low and nar- 
row, that people muft lie down on their 
bellies to enter it. This cuftom at firft 
appeared to me highly ridiculous, and to be 
carried to a much greater length than among 
the Hottentots ; but as they ufe thefe huts 
only in the night-time, it is eafier, on this 
account, to defend onefelf either againll: ani« 
mals, or the fudden attacks of an enemyc 
The floors of them are covered with the 
fame fubftance as the walls ; and in the cen- 
tre is formed a circular hearth, furrounded 
by a border two or three inches in height^ 
to contain the fire, and preferve the hut 
from any danger which it might occafion. 
Arouzid the hut, at the diftance of five or 
fit 
