56 
REVIEWS. 
[Nature and Art, July 1, 18Gfl. 
accuracy. The first glance too often leads the 
explorer and traveller to jump hastily at false con- 
clusions, and induces him to give names to strange 
objects in accordance with his ideas of resemblance 
to others long familiar, no matter how faint that 
fancied resemblance may be. Hence we have 
“ Cape Pigeons,” which are no more pigeons than 
wild geese; and “Cape Salmon,” which are not 
salmon. The “robins” of the United States are 
no robins at all, and enjoy none of the love and 
privileges accorded to their more fortunate name- 
sakes on this side of the Atlantic. Again, we say 
advisedly, let no man heedlessly try the strength 
of his teeth on an “ Indian wood apple,” simply 
because it is called “an aj>ple.” He had far better 
make an attempt on a four -pound shot of Woolwich 
pattern at once, than try his powers of mastica- 
tion on one of these same apples. The cherry, of 
Australia, too, has a disagreeable habit of growing 
with its stone outside the fruit, and of being highly 
unpalatable into the bargain ; whilst the pear of 
that favoured land would, if duly fitted by a clever 
cabinet maker, and properly polished, make an 
excellent knob for a street door. To the inex- 
perienced, these “home names” carry their own 
charm with them, and lead to all sorts of indis- 
cretions, which are only to be checked by the hard 
rubs and painful straits that experiences of travel 
are sure in the end to bring with them. “ A 
cabbage tree ” is a species of palm nowise related 
to the cabbage family. Do not, then, because 
some insect is said to be simply a “ wasp,” or “ only 
a beetle, exactly like lots of others we have seen,” 
be induced to pass it without investigation. See 
for yourself what sort of “wasp,” and what descrip- 
tion of “ beetle,” it is. Take nothing for granted, 
and do not grudge the trouble of minute examina- 
tion.— Ed.] 
REVIEWS. 
Madagascar and the Malagasky. By Lieut. Oliver, 
Royal Artillery, F.R.Ct.S. (Day & Sou, Limited.) 
I T is strange that an island so long discovered, favourably 
placed for commercial intercourse, and rich in natural 
productions as Madagascar, should have remained so long 
almost a “ Terra Incognita and it is to be hoped that the 
work now before us, by Lieut. Oliver, Royal Artillery, on the 
“ Malagasky and their Customs,” may serve to direct more 
general attention to the capabilities of this fertile spot. The 
author had very excellent opportunities, having been a 
member of the suite of Major-General Johnson, who, in June, 
1862, was deputed by the Governor of Mauritius to convey to 
King Radama II., who had just mounted the throne, an auto- 
graph letter from her Majesty the Queen of England, and 
a collection of presents, comprising — a quarto family Bible ; 
a scarlet silk umbrella ; a silver gilt tankard and goblets ; 
Wilkinson’s rifle ; gold mounted field-marshal’s scimitar, 
and sword-belt ; a field marshal’s uniform complete ; a full- 
length portrait of her Majesty ; and a set of musical instru- 
ments for a band of twenty-five performers. The mission 
was received with much distinction by king Radama — 
who, as is well known, has many pretensions to civiliza- 
tion — and remained about the capital until his Majesty’s 
coronation in September. In his notes on this ceremony, 
the author gives us glimpses of international jealousies 
which we fear bode no good to the islanders. “ Notwith- 
standing,” we read, “the French party had used all their 
influence to induce his Majesty to don a magnificent suit of 
royal robes brought from France, Radama persisted in his 
original intention of being crowned in English uniform, and 
wore accordingly that of a British field-marshal, which we had 
presented him with from the Queen. The Jesuits set about 
a report that they had crowned the king - privately, with all 
due Roman Catholic ceremony before daylight ; but this I 
cannot believe. The Jesuits, however, have spread such 
scandalous reports about the bishop, Mr. Ellis, and the 
Nonconformist missionaries, that their veracity is not to be 
depended upon.” Poor Radama II. ! Poor Madagascar ! 
say we, if the Lieutenant’s observations above cited are 
accurate and reliable. The wild, romantic scenery, and 
luxuriant tropical vegetation of the island are so pleasingly 
and graphically described, that we cannot resist giving the 
subjoined extract : — 
“ In spite of all the wet and difficulties of the road, the 
good spirits of the Marmites, toiling - under their heavy 
burdens, were indomitable. Imitating the lemurs’ cries, they 
would attract these handsome, soft-furred animals (which 
take the place of monkeys in Madagascar), till they would 
come quite near, springing and swinging- from bough to 
bough, supported by their convolute tails. The vegetation 
we passed to day was wondrous. Besides innumerable large 
timber trees, their vast limbs covered with litmus, lichens, 
orchids, creeping ferns and parasites, palms of numerous 
varieties shot up to a tremendous height. The candelabra- 
like pandanus exhibited a thousand fantastic shapes, and 
various bamboos shook their feathery plumes, like monstrous 
hop-plants, whilst magnolias, myrtles, fig-trees, tree-ferns, 
with their umbrella like canopies, filled the spy.ee between. 
Here, in a humid atmosphere, and under a tropical sun, the 
spontaneous growth and decay of vegetation has proceeded 
without interruption for centuries, presenting scenes un- 
surpassed in the world. The scenery, indeed, is never to bo 
forgotten, especially one part of the road that wound round 
the edge of a rapid torrent, which, flowing under a gigantic 
table of granite, fell in a foaming broad cascade, into a 
cauldron hollowed out of the massive rock beneath. The 
ravine formed by the torrent was superb, and the cascade, 
swollen by the rains which had now ceased, was seen to its 
best advantage. The granite-table formed a titanic bridge 
over the torrent, and holes worn in it by eddies during past 
centuries showed the hissing waters beneath. The mag- 
nificent foliage met overhead, entwined with wonderful 
creepers, shutting out the rays of the tropical sun, and 
throwing a sublime gloom on the scene, lightened here and 
there by the bright colour and delicate young fronds of the 
tree fern. We stopped awhile to breathe and admire. 
Everything was dripping — trees, rocks, ferns, parasites, and 
creepers, ourselves also, whilst our marmites steamed under 
their exertions. The road was much easier to travel where 
it was rocky ; but oftentimes w - e would come to sudden 
chasms and precipitous slopes, slippery with clay, mud, and 
water. It was no joke to meet — as we once or twice did — 
one of the numerous herds of cattle, on their -way to 
Tamatave, from the capital, in one of these gullies. They 
are forced over the edge of these places, and slide, roll, or 
tumble all the way down, without being able to stop them- 
selves, till they are brought up in the soft mud at the bottom. 
Magnificent creatures many of them were, all destined to 
supply the carnivorous propensities of beef-eating John 
Bull, at Mauritius, and, in a less degree, of his Gallic neigh- 
bours at Reunion.” 
The work is tastefully got up, and the twenty-four 
illustrations, in very excellent lithography, show that the 
author combines with his literary taste no mean ability as 
a draughtsman. 
