84 GRASSES. 



low earthen walls dividing plantations from tlie roads. 

 There are two varieties ; one with a brilliant scarlet flower, 

 and the other with a pale flesh-coloured flower. Its native 

 name is sungosungo. It resembles some of the Cacti in its 

 prickly stem. 



Among the trees found sparingly in the upper regions of 

 the island is one called hdsina, a species of pandanus, but 

 also much like a dracocna, with long sword-like leaves. This 

 sometimes attains a considerable size, growing not with a 

 single cluster of leaves, as is its habit when young, but 

 branching out into a wide-spreading tree. The young trees, 

 with their single head of foliage, are singularly graceful and 

 ornamental. The hdsina was formerly considered as sacred 

 by the people, being connected with idolatrous worship. 



Grasses. — Although the central provinces of Madagascar 

 are very bare of wood, there are a great number of grasses, 

 some of which are very beautiful, and many others are of 

 value in the useful arts. In some marshy districts masses of 

 crimson grass are found, giving quite a peculiar appearance 

 to the landscape. It may be remarked in passing, that the 

 Malagasy word for " glory " is vdnindhiira, a word whose literal 

 meaning is " the flower of the grass." In some districts the 

 grass grows to the height of seven or eight feet, so that 

 travellers are quite hidden from view in the dense jungle. 

 In many places prickly grass {tsivoka) is found, preventing 

 the bare-footed bearers from straying an inch beyond the 

 narrow footpaths ; and in others, a curiously barbed and 

 pointed grass called Ufon-dambo, or " wild-hog's-spear," is also 

 a great annoyance to travellers, being strong enough to pierce 

 the skin. This lefon-damho has the appearance of a handful 

 of grass tied in a bundle by two or three of the long wiry 

 blades. In some of the warmer districts of Madagascar 

 certain of the grasses have a very distinct and powerful 

 fragrance ; and I have often felt that the scents, not less 

 than the sights and sounds, are among the surest signs of 

 one's being in a tropical country. But the grasses of Mada- 

 gascar are very important to the people, as affording an 

 exhaustless supply of material for their household require- 

 ments. Fine straw mats, often beautifully woven in patterns, 



