VOYAGE TO MADAGASCAR. 341 



genious manner* The leaves Terve to cover 

 them ; and this coverings which lafts a long 

 time, is preferable to our thatch. 



It is of the leaves of the raven alfo that 

 the Madccafles make their plates, difhes, 

 and cups. Thefc vcflels are alwrays clean, 

 but they are never ufed more than once. 



Under the membranous covering vrhich 

 inclofes the flowers of this palm, is found 

 a gummy fubftance of an exquifite tafte, 

 which one would take to be lioney. 



It is not furpHfing that the MadecaHes 

 endeavour to be furrounded by a tree fo 

 ufeful. They make very large planks of it 

 by rplitting it from the one end to the 

 other- Thefe planks, however, muft be 

 ftralghtened the moment they are fplit, 



The lands belonging to Foulepointe 

 abound with rich pafturcs and cattle. When 

 you go along the fertile banks of the beau- 

 tiful river Oogleby, you are furprifed to fee 



z 3 it 



