292 VOYAGE TO MADAGASCAR. 



mufl: either perifh 'or fly from that ua- 

 whplefomc dimate when tlie fnfedtion 

 breaks out. No part ni the aortJiern quar- 

 ter of Maclagafcar is free from putrid and 

 nialignatit fevers ; but thefe cruel dlfeafes 

 do not every year occafion the fame ra- 

 vages. Their violence and duration feem to 

 depend more particularly on the dire^lion 

 of tlie wind* When it blows long from the 

 north, the e\'il is at its height. There are 

 few men robuft and ftrong enough to refift 

 the influence of this dangerons wind, which 

 prevails only from the end of October till 

 the beginning of May, 



Benyowiki certainly could not Iiave had 

 very j lift notions, or accurate accounts^ re- 

 fpe<^:ing the unhealthfulnefs of Madagafcar. 

 Yet It cannot be prefumed that the badncfs 

 oFlts climate was ent rely unknown to film, 

 as he had refided fome time at the Ifle of 

 France* It was obfer^'ed even then that he had 



formed 



