33$ SOUTHERN AFRICA. 
species of large mimosa, with which every house is. 
overshadowed, and the branches of which are pre- 
served with religious care. The people are not 
entirely black, like the eastern Caffres ; some are 
of a bronze colour, and others of a brown, approach- 
ing to that of the Hottentots. They have not the 
fine athletic figure of the Caffres ; but have made 
greater progress in civilization and the arts. Though 
pasturage be their chief occupation, they also cul- 
tivate the ground, and raise different species of 
seeds, of which the principal is the Hoicus sargum, 
commonly boiled with milk. This labour, how- 
ever, as in all rude states, is entirely devolved upon 
the female sex. They have an eager passion for to- 
bacco. They eat without distinction the flesh of 
all the wild animals whom they kill in hunting, 
even that of wolves, leopards, and hyenas. The 
party offered knives in barter, which were rejected 
with contempt, as they had knives of their own 
made to cut with two edges, and of much superior 
quality. Cattle, knives, and beads, were their 
standing commodities, and circulated as money. 
The government of the Boshuanas is patriarchal. 
The old men form a council, without whose ad- 
vice the king undertakes nothing of importance* 
They decide, also, the differences which arise 
among the members of the community ; though, 
from the gentle and peaceable disposition here 
prevalent, quarrels are few and of little import- 
ance. 
