1846.] THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE. 539 



on that fide next to the bay, and is now under cultivation by Die natives, largo 

 patclies of wliici) have been planted with the banana, (which lias been introduced 

 by the French,) and in the course of a few years will render this fruit abundant 

 here. There is a native pepper (capsicum) much cultivated here. The bushes of 

 the shore are covered with a beautiful species of twiniii^r convolvulus. A species 

 of euphorbia, apparently identical with hypericifoUa, is usnd by the natives in de. 

 coo.tions for the cure of venereal diseases. This plant is found abundantly in the 

 UnituJ States, and is supposed by many agriculturists to be '.he cau.^'e of tlia sali- 

 vation of horses while in pasture. 



The harbor being easy of access, the water very good and abundant, running 

 from the mountain in several streams, induces many of our whale ships to visit 

 this port. 



The inhabitants of Madagascar do not appear to have had their origin from one 

 source, but appear to have descended from the Ethiopian, Malay, and Hiridoo, and 

 at present form a number of distinct tribes, differing also in many respects from 

 each other, though nominally comprised in one political empire. 



The distinction most strongly marked is that of color, and this, although pro. 

 ducing slight variations in eaclitrDie, separates the population in two great classes, 

 and is supposed by some to allow of its being traced to only two sources, viz : the 

 Malay, distinguished by a slight, well formed person, fair complexion, and straight 

 hair; the Ethiopian, more robust and dark colored, with woolly hair. 



But to these two races we riust also add the Hindoo, as many individuals are 

 seen that from their features and color must have had their origin, in part, from 

 that race. They may also be said to possess but one language, for an inhabitant 

 from any part of the island may be understood in any other part, but frequently 

 some words are used in some districts which are not found universal. Many Ara- 

 bic words are also incorporated in the language of some parts of the coast, and 

 have been introduced by the Arabic traders, with whom Ihuy have long hati inter- 

 course, and have also received some of their religious tenets as well as language. 

 Circumcision is practised universally on the coast. 



The language, which is undoubtedly a branch of the Polynesian, is also another 

 proof of the origin of a part of these people, while the unity of the language over 

 thi, whole island indicates a remote period at which their emigration must have 

 occurred. 



November, 1844. — The prospect around the city of Zanzibar, when viewed at the 

 distance of several miles is exceedingly beautiful. The land is elevated along the 

 shore ten or fifteen feet, for the distance of a fourth of a mile interior, which is 

 densely covered with the cocoa-nut tree. The laud then rises in gently sloping 

 hills on which are cultivated the clove tree, in beautiful plantations, for several 

 miles. This tree (Caryophyllus aromatica) when young resembles a pear tree, some- 

 what in shape ; the bark is smooth and adheres closely to the wood. The leaves 

 when young are rtiidish on the upper and green on the under side, and the Whole 

 plant, like the cinnamon tree, has a strong aromatic odor. When an exotic the 

 tree does not begin to produce until eight or nine years of age, but in its native 

 soil is usually productive at five or six years of age.. The buds appear in the be- 

 ginning of the rainy season, about the first of May, and during the four following 

 munthj are perfected ; but, as with many trees in the tropics, buds, flowers, and 

 fruit may be found upon the tree at the same time. The buds are green at first, 

 then yellow, and finally, when ripe, change to a blood red color soon after the 

 flowers open ; and in three weeks the seeds are fully ripe. They are gathered very 

 carefully by the hand and with crooked sticks, in order that the trees may not be 

 injured. 



Sir T. Herbert gives the following fanciful description of the buds of the clove : 

 " It blossoms early, but becomes exceedingly inconstant in complexion, from & 

 virgin white varying into other colors, for in the noon it shows a pale green, ia 

 the meridian a distempered rod, and sets in blackness. Tho cloves manifest them- 

 selves at the extremity of the branches, and in their growing evaporate such sense 

 ravishing odors as if a compendium of nature's sweetest gums were there extracted 

 and united." 



They are cured by placing them in hurdles over the fire for a few days, and then 

 exposed to the sun until thoroughly dried. The produce varies in different years ; 



