340 VISITS TO MADAGASCAR chap. xii. 



presented me with a slieep and some poultry, &c., in the name 

 and by the order of the proprietor of the place, now residing 

 at Tananarive, and whom he designated as the friend of the 

 queen. 



August 25th. — I had passed a restless night, partly from 

 a slight fever and partly from a multitude of thoughts. 

 The sheep which had been presented on the previous day 

 was now killed ; and as my eyes were exceedingly painful, 

 and the weather unfavourable, we did not proceed until 

 after breakfast. My bearer was still suffering, but hoped 

 by the help of his companions to follow us to the next 

 resting-place. Before setting out, a messenger arrived from 

 one of the officers of the government to say that I was to 

 proceed to a village which was named, at the foot of the hill 

 on which the capital stands, when an officer would be sent to 

 conduct me to the house appointed for my residence. About 

 ten o'clock we set out, traversing the labyrinth of paths 

 between the houses of the village ; and, passing through an 

 opening in the walls, crossed over three or four deep ditches, 

 and then continued our way along smooth, well-beaten paths, 

 and over an undulating plain, covered with long thick grass. 

 The officer who had arrived accompanied me in his palanquin. 

 The morning was cold, with drizzling rain when we started ; 

 but the weather improved as we advanced. The aspect of the 

 country was sterile. No trees or bushes were visible except a 

 few around the houses ; but large portions of the land were 

 under cultivation. The absence of trees in Imerina makes 

 fuel very scarce, and I saw several persons employed in cut- 

 ting long diy grass, and tying it up in bundles : these are daily 

 sold in the markets of the capital for fuel. I saw only a few 

 cattle, but occasionally noticed small flocks of sheep of a red- 

 dish brown colour, and covered with hair. 



We passed during our journey to-day several tombs of the 

 Hovas. They consist generally of a square raised platform. 



