AFRICA, iSi 
Reflefiing on the caufe of this pheiiomenon^^ 
I afcribed it at firft to an extraordinary curva- 
ture of the fpine, or to a prominence of the 
lower vertebrcE and os facrum, which ^ proje'S- 
ing forwards, rendered that part more protube- 
rant, and threw the haunches cut of their ufual 
pofition ; but very decifive obfervations foon 
convinced me of the contrary. The bones 
which form the Ikeleton of tlie reins were in 
their natural fituatlon ; none of the vertebrse 
were deranged ; and this extended rump is 
only a fat and ilefhy mafs, which, upon every 
movement of the body, exhibits a mod re- 
markable quivering and undulation* 
I faw a girl, three years old, entirely naked, 
as indeed are all the children of the favages at 
that age, playing and jumping before me for 
feveral hours. I at fir ft pitied her conditio n^ 
in being loaded with fo cumbrous a burden, 
which I thought muft obftruft her movements ; 
but I did not perceive that, on this account, ihe 
was the lefs at her eafe, or at all reftrided in 
her freedom. In amufmg herfelf with a young 
brother, fhe woiild fometimes walk along as if 
flie had been counting her fteps ; then fuddenly 
flopping, and {lamping her foot agalnft the 
N 3 ground. 
