AFRICA. 
ceiving, In a new and too plain manner, the 
refinement of his wants, to make the n:>oft 
unbridled paffion give place to laughter that 
could fcarcely be fupprefled. I wifh to be de- 
cent, but I muft at the fame time pay proper 
regard to truth. I cannot think of omitting 
in my work- thefe circumftances of my 
travels : and fince my female Hottentot con- 
fented to improve my knowledge at the ex- 
pence of her modefty, too much referve on 
my part might be accounted childifh bafh- 
fulnefs : fcrupulous nicety Is improper on 
a fubje£l to which nature has attached no 
fliame. 
This natural apron is Indeed nothing elfe, 
as the above author has faid, than a prolon* 
gation of the nymphie, or the large lips of 
the private parts of a woman. They may 
hang down about nine inches, more or lefs, 
according to the age of the pcrfon, or the 
affiduous care which is beftowed on this lin- 
gular decoration. I faw a young girl of fif- 
teen, in whom thefe parts were already four 
Inches in length. Until they attain to that, 
lize, they are made to diftend by fri<flion, and 
by ftretching them ; but the remaining part 
of the procefs is performed by weights fuf- 
VoL. IL A a pended 
