52|; VOYAGE TO MADAOASCAK, 



One Pronis therefore was commifTioned 

 to tak^pofleflfion of Madagafcar in the name 

 of the king, with orders to form an eftabliflk- 

 jnent in fome fertile fpot, which might 

 be fufceptible of defence and of an eafy and 

 fafe accefs. In confequence of thefe orders* 

 he made choice of the village ofManghefia* 

 which h iituatcd at the extremity of the pro* 

 vince of Carcanofii^ in the latitude of 24^ 

 30'. This place appeared to him as likely 

 to anfwer the propof^d end in every refpedt. 

 The numerous herds of horned cattle which 

 frequented this part of the country, and its 

 rich fields of rice and potatoes^ fuffered no 

 uneafmefs to remain in his mind refpeding 

 provifions. A navigable river, which takes 

 ite rife at the bottom of mount Siliva, 

 ■waters meadows ©f an immenfe extent in 

 the neighbourhood : timber of all kinds fit 

 for building houfcs, or conftru£ling ihips, 

 may be found in abundance clofe to com- 

 modious 



