l8 VOYAGE TO MADAGASCAR* 



fcarcely emerged from barbarity; and the 

 moft enlightened men cannot forefee the 

 epoch when the wifeft of nations will be 

 delivered from thofe ridiculous prejudices, 

 which check ufeful induftry, and give an 

 importance only to objeds that are deftruc- 

 tive, or at leaft of no utility* 



The natives of Madagafcar are called Ma^ 

 kgdcbes^ or Madecqfes. They are portly in 

 their perfons^ and rife above the middle 

 ftature* The colour of their fkin is different : 

 among one tribe it is of a. deep black, and 

 among another tawny ; fome have a cop- 

 per-coloured tint; but the colour of the 

 greater part is olive. 



All thofe who are black have woolly hair, 

 like the negroes on the coaft of Africa, Thofe 

 who arc of a complexion fimilar to that of 

 the Indians, and Mulattoes, have as lank 

 hair as the Europeans, Their nofe is not 

 flat ; they have a broad open forehead ; 

 6 their 



