[58] Naia haje.
[59] Columber canus.
[60] Turtle blood is also asserted to be a good remedy against wounds caused by poisoned arrows.
[61] This superstition is common in Devonshire, in the western parts of which it used, till lately, to be affirmed, “that at twelve o’clock at night on Christmas eve, the oxen in their stalls are always found on their knees in an attitude of devotion; and that, since the alteration of the style, they continue to do this only on the eve of old Christmas day.” Bravo, oxen!—(See Brand’s “Popular Antiquities.”)
[62] This remarkable beast was a long time in the possession of Mr. Oswell, who, I believe, intended to bring it alive to England, but unavoidable circumstances prevented this distinguished traveler from carrying his plan into execution.
[63] Or about 148,000 English square miles. The area of Damara-land is about 29,000 English square miles.
[64] When speaking of the moon, the Namaquas do not say, like ourselves, that it rises and sets, but that “it dies and is born again.”
[65] It is a practice among the young Namaquas to hold a goat between the knees, and draw the milk directly from the teats of the animal into their own mouths.
[66] After a great hunt, it was also the custom to reserve for the chief the best pieces of the different kinds of game which had been killed, such as the breast of the eland, the hump of the rhinoceros, and so forth, the rest being divided among the tribe.
[67] This institution was founded by the Rev. Mr. Schmelen. In 1830, during the administration of Sir Lowry Cole, it received by charter an extensive grant of territory from the British government at the Cape. On that memorable occasion the zealous missionary presented to the governor a translation of the four Gospels in the Namaqua tongue.