AFRICA. 27 s 
Flrft, I divided the {km on the lower part 
of the body, from the anus to the lower lip. 
The lip I did not touch ; becaufe that part, 
being of a fofter texture than the reft, would 
ihrink more in drying if it were divided, which 
would, disfigure the animal, if at any time an 
attempt ftiould be made to give it its natural 
form. After this incifion, I made four others, 
one on the in fide of each leg, afcending from 
the hoof to the belly, and terminating inthefirft. 
This previous operation being performed, 
nothing remained but to flay the animal ; on 
which bufmefs I employed fome of my people 
with their fliarpened knives. I took care, how- 
ever, that the head and hoofs fhould remain 
annexed to the fkin. This part of the bufinels 
alfo I took upon myfelf, feparating the head 
from the fpine at the upper joint of the neck, 
and the hoofs from the bones of the leg. While 
I was at work, my Nimiquas went to cut wood, 
and kindled a fire for our culinary operations* 
As they were fetching wood, they found a 
fpring, to which I ordered the fkin to be con- 
veyed, that it might be cleaned of the blood 
and other filth ; and then relinquifhed the body 
of the animal to my hungry companions. 
Klaas, 
