278 FLOWERS. 



Tanosy, the Tamarind tree (one of the finest of the trees 

 growing in the island), and also the Baobab, have each a 

 sacred character. In this latter tree there is a certain part 

 considered as specially belonging to God. Portions of the 

 tree are coloured black, white, and yellow, bound with mats, 

 and decorated with charms. 



Among the Sakalava, a tree called H&zomanitra (" fragrant 

 wood ") is planted at the birth of the first child, as a witness 

 that the father acknowledges it as his own. 



The Malagasy do not, like the Polynesians, make much 

 uge of flowers in their festivities ; but it was formerly the 

 custom that those who accompanied the Queen, on her return 

 from the ancient to the present capital, should all be decorated 

 with flowers. The effect produced by several thousands of 

 people, with their heads or head-dresses all adorned with 

 flowers, was often extremely pleasing. Some flowers used to 

 be considered as acceptable offerings to the idols ; thus, a 

 pink-petalled flowering plant, called Voninina, was proper to 

 be brought to the tutelar deity of the reigning family, while 

 the other idols had also their appropriate flower offerings. 



Flowers were also carried in the joyful procession which 

 was formed of the friends and relatives of those people who 

 had been cleared of guilt by the tangdna ordeal, and were 

 then termed madio, " clean," or cleared of blame. These were 

 fastened to small wands, and carried in the hand. 



In the times when bull-fighting was common, the owners 

 of the bulls held a plant called Tsivalondriana in their hands 

 to ensure victory. Concerning a hard-wooded tree called 

 H&zotblcana, the Malagasy used to believe that if any part of 

 it were brought into the house the rice-pans would be broken. 

 And formerly, the root of a plant called Vdrikitia was brought 

 by the father of a newly-born child (if the first-born), who 

 held it over his head outside the house, then dashed it on the 

 ground westwards, with the idea that the child was in some 

 way or other benefited thereby.* 



An edible arum, called Sdonjo, is always eaten at a Hova 

 housewarming. But occasionally, possibly on the principle 

 that " one man's meat is another man's poison," some of the 



* Rev. R. Baron, in Antananarivo Annual, No. iv. p. 115. 



