SOUTHERN AFRICA. 391 
ness of the buildings, it was impossible to ascertain, with any 
degree of accuracy, the number of houses ; it was concluded, 
however, that they could not be less than two nor more 
than three thousand, all nearly of the same size and con- 
struction, and differing in nothing from that of the Chief ex- 
cept that his was a little larger than the others. I'lie whole 
population, including men, Avomen and children, tliey con- 
sidered to be from ten to tifteen thousand persons. Round 
numbers are rarely exact. The two commissioners, it seems, 
at the end of fifteen days, on comparing notes, found that 
the estimate of one was ten, of the other fifteen thousand. 
The truth may probably lie in the middle. The ground plan 
of every house was a complete circle, from twelve to fifteen 
feet in diameter ; the floor of hard beaten clay, raised about 
four inches above the general surface of the enclosure. About 
one fourth part of the circle, which was the front of the 
house and observed generally to face the east, was entirely 
open ; the other three fourths were walled up ^vith clay and 
stones, to the height of about five feet. By an inner circular 
Avall passing through the centre, and described with the same 
radius as that of the first circle, and consequently cutting off 
one third of the circumference, an apartment is formed for 
the depositing of their valuables, as skin clothing, ivory orna- 
ments, hassagais, knives and other articles which to them 
are of essential use. In this apartment, also, the elder part 
of the family take their nightly rest. The children sleep in 
the half-closed virauda, which comprehends two-thirds of the 
circumference of the circle. 
