SOUTHERN AFRICA. 373 
The native inhabitants v/hich are settled on tlie banks of 
tiie Orange river, where our travellers crossed it, (namely in 
latitude 29° N. and longitude between 23° and 24° E.) are a va- 
riety of the Hottentot race, whose particular horde, in their own 
language, is called the Koras. In estimating their compara- 
tive condition with the different tribes of this nation, they may 
fairly be reckoned to rank much higher than any of the others 
that are known on the southern extremity of Africa. The 
wide desert Karroo between them and the colony has hitherto 
protected them in a considerable degree, though not alto- 
gether, from the oppression of the Dutch boors, under whose 
lash their brethren less remote from the colony have so 
severely suffered. Their abode being stationary on the 
banks of the Orange river, their huts were constructed 
with greater care, and Avith a view of being more durable ; 
in their persons they Avere more cleanly, and in their dress 
and domestic utensils neater, than the Hottentots usually are. 
This superiority may probably be owing, in a certain degree; 
to the advantages of local situation. A running stream in 
South Africa is a great rarity. To the want of water may 
probably be attributed the origin of the custom of greasing 
the skin, which this grand river renders unnecessary. The 
Koras accordingly exhibit none of that filthy and squalid ap- 
pearance which characterizes the Hottentots on the skirts of 
the colony. Their features are also of a superior cast. What 
the Gonaquas were on the eastern coast the Koras seem to 
be to the northward, a mixed breed between the Hottentot 
and the Kaffer. The annexed figure of a Koi^a woman, 
drawn from nature, may serve to convey a better idea than 
can be given by verbal description. 
