Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume X.djvu/816

 810 MADAGASCAR medicinal and warm springs, but they are not used on account of superstitious prejudices. The climate is exceedingly diversified, both in temperature and salubrity. In the low lands and on the coast the heat is intense ; but in the interior the mercury seldom rises above 85, and on the mountain summits ice is sometimes formed. The rainy season continues from De- cember to April. The coast region, with few exceptions, is extremely unhealthy to natives of the interior as well as to Europeans. The rank vegetation and stagnant water cause a deadly fever. This is also the case in many interior valleys, only Ankova and some ele- vated regions in the north being exempt from it. One elevated spot near Tananarive is so unhealthy, that banishment to it is considered equivalent to condemnation to death. Of the geology of the island few details are known. The hills between the E. coast and the interior appear to consist of primary rocks; gneiss, granite, and quartz are found, and also basalt and large beds of clay. In other parts slate and limestone have been seen. Excellent iron abounds in the interior. In the mountainous district of Ankaratra volcanic rocks* occupy an extensive area. Rock salt is an important ar- ticle of inland trade, and it is said that there is coal on one of the affluents of the Betsibooka. The botany of the island is exceedingly rich, and is yet mostly unexplored. Among the plants peculiar to it is the ravenala or " trav- eller's tree" (urania speciosa), so called be- cause at all seasons its trunk, when an incision is made, yields a cool, sweet, and wholesome beverage. Its wood is used in the construction of dwellings, and for many domestic purposes. The zozoro (a papyrus) is also peculiar to the island. In the forests are found ebony and a species of mahogany. Other valuable trees are the filao ; the baobab, which abounds on the W. coast ; the ampaly, whose hard leaf is used to polish wooden ware ; the avoha, from which coarse paper is made ; the tapia edulis, on which the native silkworm is reared ; the tamarind, the aviavy and other species of fig, the vakoa or screw pine, the dragon tree, and the bamboo. The azaina is used for canoes, which are made by scooping out the trunk ; it yields a great quantity of yellow juice, very adhesive, and used by the natives as glue. The voahena, which furnishes gum elastic, is abun- dant. Madagascar produces rice, which is the principal food of the people, tobacco, sugar, cotton, indigo, and various spices ; also cocoa- nuts, breadfruit, plantains, bananas, yams, and a great variety of tropical and temperate fruits. The coffee plant has been introduced, and thrives well. Ten or twelve kinds of vegetable oil are made for home consumption. Domes- tic poultry of all kinds is reared in profusion. Cattle, both wild and tame, are numerous, and are generally humped, as in India. Sheep and pigs are found in some districts. The sheep, like those of the Cape of Good Hope, have long legs and fat tails, and are covered with hair instead of wool. Horses have been re- cently introduced. In the forests are wild hogs, dogs, and cats, ounces or small leopards, monkeys, foxes, squirrels, and the curious ani- . mal called the aye-aye. (See AYE- AYE.) The rivers swarm with crocodiles, which are some- times found 20 ft. long. They destroy cattle, and sometimes human beings. The natives re- gard them with veneration, and dare not injure them even in self-defence. Serpents of great size are found, but few are venomous. From St. Mary's island to Antongil the coast abounds with excellent oysters. Fossil remains are found, among which are those of a colossal bird, the opyornis maximus ; these consist of the bones of the foot, and fragments of eggs, six times as large as those of the ostrich. It has been usual to consider Madagascar as one kingdom of 22 provinces, with Tananarive, in the centre, for its capital ; but this town is only the capital of Imerina in Ankova, the territory of the Hovas, the dominant tribe. The Hovas exercise no authority S. of their fort of Manza, and many tribes are practically and some abso- lutely independent. The Antandronis are sub- ject to several petty chiefs of their own, who are continually at war with one another. The Madagascans are derived from a variety of stocks. The two great divisions of the people are into black and olive, the former occupying the western slope of the island, and the latter the eastern. The olive race is distinguished by a light, exquisitely formed person, fair com- plexion, and straight or curling hair; while the black race is of more robust form, and has woolly hair. Besides these two great ethno- logical divisions, the population is distinguished into four political or geographical sections: the Hovas, the Sakalavas, the Betsileos, and the Betsimasarakas. The Hovas have within the present century made themselves the domi- nant tribe. In person they are generally be- low the middle stature ; their complexion is a light olive ; their features are rather flat than prominent; their lips occasionally thick and projecting, but often thin as in the Caucasian race; their hair is black, but soft, fine, and straight or curling ; their eyes are hazel, and their figures erect and well proportioned. They are remarkably active, but have less bodily strength than the black tribes. The Sakalavas during the last century were the dominant nation, and held the Hovas in sub- jection. Physically they are the finest race in Madagascar. They are tall and robust, and their limbs well formed, muscular, and strong. Their features are regular, their eyes dark, and their hair black, shining, and crisped or curly. Their complexion is blacker than that of any other people in the island. In war they are bold, energetic, and resolute ; in peace they are indolent, and much addicted to sorcery and other superstitious practices. They are friendly to Europeans, evince a strong de- sire for improvement, and are said to exhibit ample proofs of mental powers capable under