230 ORNAMENTAL TOMBS 



stupendous masses of stone, such as we do not often see in the 

 northern province. 



Then there was the elaborate system of rice cultivation, far 

 surpassing anything that can be seen in Imerina. This was 

 noticeable after four days' journey, but it appeared to be carried 

 to the highest point of perfection in the wide valley south of 

 Amb6sitra. Not only are the valleys and hollows terraced, as 

 in Imerina the concave portions of the low hills and lower 

 slopes of the high hills but the convex portions also are stepped 

 up like a gigantic staircase for a great height. It was a pleasant 

 sight to see, speaking of industry and skill and practical know- 

 ledge of hydrostatics ; for how water could be brought to some 

 of the lower elevations surrounded by lower ground was more 

 than we could discover. Many of these were terraced up to 

 their highest point, the narrow lines of rice plot running round 

 them in concentric circles, so that there was not a square yard 

 of ground left unproductive. 



The third particular in which the Betsileo country differs 

 although the past tense would be now more appropriate from 

 Imerina is in the variety and ornamental character of the tombs 

 and other memorials of the dead. Leaving out of consideration 

 the modern stone tombs erected in the vicinity of the capital, it 

 is a remarkable fact that there is no native Hojv^gj^ejrfcMVJng 

 or ornamentation. Neither in their dwellings nor their tombs, 

 neither in their household utensils nor their weapons, does there 

 ever seem to have existed among the natives of Imerina anything 

 like indigenous art. But in Betsileo there is carving both in the 

 houses and the tombs ; the central posts of the former are 

 elaborately ornamented, and also portions of the exterior wood- 

 work ; and the curious massive timber posts, with framework 

 for holding the skulls and horns of bullocks killed at funerals, 

 have a variety of decoration which is well worthy of study. 



The first thing that attracted my attention in travelling south, 

 after four or five days' journey, was that the upright stones 

 placed near graves were not the rough undressed slabs common 

 in Imerina, but were finely dressed and squared and ornamented 

 with carving. Coming after that to Ambositra, I first met with 

 one of the memorial posts just mentioned. This was a piece of 

 timber, seven or eight inches square and about ten feet high, 

 with pieces of wood projecting from a little below the top, so as 



