812 
SOUTHERN AFRICA, 
ing and tremulous motion, like masses of jelly. 
The Bosjesmans are gayer, more active, and ;nore 
ingenious, than the Hottentots of the colony. 
In the enm^ity between them and the colonists, 
augmented by a long series of mutual ill offices, 
Mr Barrow imputes the chief blame to the latter. 
After returning to the Cape, Mr Barrow under- 
took by himself a journey along the western coast, 
into the country of the Namaquas. The soil on 
this part of the coast is almost pure sand, but pos- 
sessed of an adhesive quality, which renders it 
surprisingly fertile. Immense crops of wheat and 
barley, besides all sorts of vegetables, are produc- 
ed with little culture. Sometimes ploughing is 
unnecessary from the loose character of the soil. 
The mountains are composed of sandstone, and 
often tower to an immense height, in columns, 
pyramids, and other forms, which give them the 
appearance of works of art. The whole of this 
coast, to a vast extent northwards, is composed 
entirely of sand and sandstone. 
The Namaquas do not materially differ in ap- 
pearance from the other Hottentots, though their 
language is entirely distinct. Beyond them, on 
the other side of the Orange river, are the Da- 
maras, who inhabit a very poor country, and sub- 
sist entirely by manufacturing and selling to their 
neighbours the copper with which their moun- 
tains abound. 
