204 
BOOTCHUANA 
notwithstanding the prohibition, but these are 
generally driven back by the men. When any 
person dies in the town, no one must go to the 
fields on that day. 
They are much alarmed at the appearance of a 
meteor in the air. One lately was seen while 
they were dancing, which made them instantly 
desist, and hastily retire to their houses. 
All the good they enjoy, they ascribe to rain- 
makers, but all the evil that comes they attribute 
to a supernatural being, such as bad harvest, 
diseases, deaths, &c., and suppose their deity 
thus acts against man from malice. 
No elephants must be killed while the corn is 
growing, nor must a tooth of that animal be 
touched till a sufficient quantity of rain has fallen, 
lest what is necessary should be prevented from 
coming. 
The Matchappees, though extremely fond of 
salt, will not enter a salt-lake, nor take a particle 
themselves, it being contrary to their law or 
custom ; but should another person bring the salt 
to them they will purchase it as an article of 
trade. 
One morning, after breakfast, I asked some of 
