SOUTHERN AFRICA. 
149 
to a hollow ftick about three feet in length, at one end to a 
fmali peg, which, by turning, brings the ftring to the proper 
degree of tenfion, and at the other to a piece of quill fixed into 
the ftick. The tones of this inftrument are produced by apply- 
ing the mouth to the quill, and are varied according as the 
vibratory motion is given to the quill and ftring by infpiration 
or expiration. It founds like the faint murmurs of diftant 
mufic that " comes o'er the ear" without any diftind: note 
being made out by that organ. This inftrument was called the 
gowra. 
Of the very few Hottentots in the diftrid of GraafF Reynet, 
who, befides our interpreter, had preferved a fort of independ- 
ance, and fupported themfelves, partly by the chace, and partly 
from the labors of their children who were in fervitude, was a 
fmall party of four or five old men who paid us a vifit near the 
woods of Bruyntjes Hoogte. Thefe men carried the ancient wea- 
pons of their nation, bows, and quivers charged with poifoned 
arrows. The bow was a plain piece of wood from the giierrie 
bofch^ apparently a fpecies of rhus ; and fometimes the Haflagai 
wood is ufed for the fame purpofe. The ftring, three feet long, 
was compofed of the fibres of the dorfal mufcles of the fpring- 
bok twifted into a cord. The ftem of an aloe furnifhed the 
quiver. The arrow confifted of a reed, in one extremity of 
which was inferted a piece of highly-polifhed folid bone from 
the leg of an oftrich, round, and about five inches in length j 
the intent of it feemed to be that of giving weight, ftrength, 
and eafy entrance to this part of the arrow. To the end of the 
bone was affixed a fmall fharp piece of iron of the form of an 
equilateral 
