MEMOIR OF LE VAILLANT. 27 
him an air of lanlmess, which makes his head 
appear very much disproportioned, and too small 
for his full and plump body. His flat nose rises 
scarcely half an inch at its greatest elevation, and 
his nostrils, which are excessively wide, often rise 
higher than the ridge of his nose. Ilis mouth is 
large and furnished with small teeth, well ena- 
melled, and perfectly white. His eyes, beautiful 
and open, incline a little towards the nose like those 
of the Chinese; and to the sight and touch, his 
liair has the resemblance of wool ; it is very short, 
curls naturally, and is black as ebony.” 
Their general character M. Le Vaillant delineates 
in favourable colours. After mentioning their natu- 
ral timidity, their phlegmatic reserve, and profound 
indifference to the affairs of life, he says, “ they are 
the best, the kindest, and most hospitable of men. 
Whoever travels among them may be assured of 
finding food and lodging; and though they will 
receive presents, they never ask for any thing. If 
the traveller has a long journey to accomplish, and 
if they learn that there are any hopes of his soon 
meeting with other hordes, the tribe which he is 
about to quit will supply him with provisions as far 
as their circumstances allow, and with any thing 
else necessary for continuing his journey until he 
reach the place of his destination." 
The wild Hottentots, he says, are remarkably 
fond of hunting, and in this exercise they display 
great dexterity. Besides gins and snares, which 
they place at convenient spots to catch large ani- 
