xlvi INTRODUCTION. 
The human fpecies alfo furnifhes a very ftrik- 
ing inftance of the fame truth in thofe nations 
which more or lefs feed upon flefh. The 
Hottentot whofe nourifliment is milk and 
roots, or dried locufts, can by no means en* 
dure the fatigue and hunger which other Hot- 
tentots can who live by the chace, and who, 
often obliged to pafs feveral days without 
eating, will fuffer no inconvenience from the 
circumftance. I have even remarked that 
this kind of aliment, whatever prejudices 
may exift to the contrary, every thing elfe 
being equal, contributes to render the indi- 
vidual flronger than any other. Of all the 
races of men with which I have been ac- 
quainted, the largeft and moft robuft, in my 
opinion, are the planters at the Cape ; and 
I knov/ of none that are fo addided to ani- 
mal food. I myfelf, who, by the nature of 
my journeys, was obliged for feveral years to 
live fokly on ileih, muft acknovv^ledge that I 
never enjoyed a more uniform or better ftat^ 
pf 
