VOYAOE TO MADAGASCAR. 3 



been unproductive ; and commerce would 

 have foon experienced how much preferable 

 that mild and humane method, is, to the 

 unjuft and cruel means which they employ- 

 ed to fubdue the unfortunate inhabitants of 

 all thofe countries which held forth to them 

 any new objeds of wealth. 



The ifland of Madagafcar was difcovercd, 

 in 1506, by Lawrence Almeyda ; but the 

 Perfians and Arabs knew it from time im- 

 memorial, under the name of Sarmtdib. 



Alphonfo Albuquerque commiffioned Ruy 

 Pereira dy Conthintho to explore the inte- 

 rior part of it, a.ad ordered Triftan d'Acunha 

 to fail round it, and mark the bearings of 

 its principal capes and head-lands. 



This if] and is divided into twenty-eight 

 provinces^ which are, AiV^y^ Mdnapani^ the 

 valley of Ambmk^ Fobmauf M^aije-Mana- 

 /jon\ Tcondre, Etomampo^ Adchhnmjfy^ Ereng-* 

 df-anes^ Vohltz-Anghombes^ MamfUrongha^ 

 B 2 Mania- 



