WILD FLOWERS 89 



fowls, fruit, etc., using certain complimentary formulae and 

 expressions of good wishes. 



The rains which usually fall in November soon make the hills 

 and downs, which have got so brown and dry during the cold 

 season, become green again. Especially does the fresh grass 

 brighten those portions of the hillsides where the withered grass 

 and fern had been burnt two or three months before ; and 

 although, as already noticed, wild flowers are not so plentiful 

 or prominent in Madagascar as they are in European countries, 

 there are several kinds which now make their appearance and 

 give some beauty to the scene. Among these are the vdnenina 

 (Vinca rosed), with large pink flowers ; the avoko (Vigna angi- 

 vensis), bright crimson ; the nifinakdnga (Commelyna madagas- 

 carica), deep blue ; several small vetch-like plants with yellow 

 flowers ; many others with minute yellow compound flowers, 

 and some few other kinds. A beautiful scarlet gladiolus is 

 seen sparingly on the downs, as well as a conspicuous and 

 handsome white flower, with a long tubular calyx, very like a 

 petunia. 



1 It will be understood that all this refers to Antananarivo 

 under native rule. Since the French occupation the city has 

 been wonderfully improved ; well paved and drained streets 

 have been engineered all over the place, with electric lighting 

 and abundant water-supply. 



