JO VOYAGE TO MADAGASCAR* 



lous. Aim oft all the villages are built uport 

 eminences j they are furrounded by two 

 rows of ftrong palifades ; and within thefe 

 there is a parapet of earth four feet in height* 

 Large bamboos, placed at the diftance of 

 five feet from each other, and funk to 

 a confiderable depth in the ground, ferve 

 to ftrengthcn the palifades ; but fome of 

 t!iefe villages are fortified alfo by a ditch ten 

 feet In breadth, and fix in depth. 



The place where the chief refides is 

 called Donac: it contains two or three build- 

 ings furrounded by a peculiar kind of inclo-^ 

 fure, were the chief lives w4th his women 

 and his children. 



The chiefs always go armed with a fufee, 

 and a ftick headed with iron, to the other 

 extremity of which is affixed a fmall bunch 

 of eow*s hair : they cover their heads with 

 a cap made of red w^oollen cloth* It is b^ 

 . their caps, above all, that they can be dif-* 



tinguiflied 



