PEGU PONIES. 177 



luggage bearers are looked upon as somewhat inferior to 

 those who carry people, for these latter have to be more agile 

 and active, to go at a greater speed, and the whole set must 

 be able to keep step and pace well with each other. In 

 many of the luggage bearers, especially those belonging to 

 the tribe called B&anozano, who are constantly carrying 

 burdens to and from the coast, a curious bunch or callosity 

 may be observed on the shoulders, a provision of nature by 

 which a sort of natural cushion is gradually formed, protect- 

 ing the collar-bone from any concussion, and the skin from 

 abrasion. 



Animals are, however, used to some extent for riding by 

 the Malagasy. Oxen are often saddled and bridled, and 

 having had their horns and tails cut short, are ridden at a 

 short shuffling pace often as fast as a horse can canter. 

 And during the last few years a considerable number of 

 horses have been imported into the country. Many of these 

 are Pegu ponies, which are hardy and sure-footed, soon 

 adapting themselves to the rough paths and rocky ascents, 

 up and down which they must often climb, more like a goat 

 than a horse. Many of the natives are bold and daring 

 riders, and about three years ago the Queen gave orders that 

 all officers above a certain rank must be on horseback when 

 escorting her in public, so that a great impetus was given 

 to the practice of horse-riding. Only twice have I seen a 

 wheeled vehicle in Madagascar; one of these was a small 

 carriage belonging to the Queen, but which was carried, by 

 men, instead of being drawn by horses ; and the other was an 

 English cart, drawn by a yoke of oxen, one of a small num- 

 ber lately introduced by foreign traders, and used to convey 

 produce along the grassy plains of the eastern coast. 



Canoes and Boats. — One of the Hova kings of the old 

 time, Andriamanelo, has, according to tradition, the credit of 

 having introduced the use of canoes. Those employed in the 

 rivers and lakes of Madagascar are hollowed out of the trunk 

 of a tree, a kind called vardngy {Calophyllum inophyllum) being 

 chiefly employed. The largest are about forty feet long, 

 with a breadth and depth of nearly three feet. They are 

 propelled with paddles, either of a spade shape or in that of 



M 



