SOUTHERN AFRICA. 335 
(as the colonists call them) who dwell to the northward, not 
far from the banks of the Orange River. The whole quantity 
exported, in the course of four years, as appears by the Cus- 
tom-house books, amounted only to 5981 pounds, value 6340 
rixdollars. 
The Hippopotamus or sea-cow is now no longer within the 
limits of the colony ; and, though the teeth of this animal are 
considered as the best ivory, yet the quantity of it procured 
was always comparatively small with that of the elephant. We 
may safely conclude then, that ivory is not to be reckoned 
among the valuable exports which the Cape can supply for 
the markets of Europe. 
TOBACCO. 
I mention this article not so much on account of the quan- 
tity exported, which, indeed, is very trifling, as of the great 
abundance the colony is. capable of producing. It is impos- 
sible the plant can thrive better in any part of the world than 
in this climate, or require less attention ; and I have under- 
stood from persons, qualified to give an opinion on the sub- 
ject, that the Cape tobacco, with a little art in the prepara- 
tion, is as good in every respect as that of Virginia. As all 
male persons, old and young, smoke in the Cape, from the 
highest to the lowest, and as American tobacco generally bears 
a high price, the consumption of that of native growth is con- 
siderable. The inferior sort is used by slaves and Hotten- 
tots. 
