AI^OSSI. 
The sight disgusted those who saw it so much, that they could not 
forbear expressing their dislike to it ; but the woman smiled, and 
told them she allowed young pigs to do the same. It appeared 
afterwards that this woman had dost her child. Some of the gentle- 
men were present at a dramatic entertainment on this island ; the 
j)iece represented a girl running away from her parents, and seemed 
to be levelled at a female passenger, who had come in Captain Cook’s 
ship from Otaheite, and who happened to be present at the entertain- 
ment. It made such an impression upon the girl, that the gentle- 
men could scarcely prevail on her to see the piece out, or to refrain 
from tears while it was acting. It concluded with the reception she 
was supposed to meet with from her friends, which was made out 
not to be a very agreeable one. These people introduce extempore 
pieces, upon occasion ; and it is most probable that this w as meant 
as a satire upon the girl above mentioned, and to discourage others 
from acting in the same manner.” 
Inhabitants, Ranks, Customs, Superstitions, &c. of Anossi. 
Anossi is a province of the island of Madagascar; it is inha- 
bited by three different sorts of whites, and four sorts of negroes. 
The whites are discriminated by the names of Rohandrians, Anacan- 
drians, and Ondzatsi ; and all these are distinguished from the negroes 
by the general name of Zaforamini, or Rahmini, but the Rohandrians 
are honoured above the other whites. When they proceed to an 
election of a sovereign, whom they call Ompiandria, he is chosen 
from the Rohandrian race. Next to him, the others hold the rank 
of princes, and are honoured as such by all the rest of the subjects. 
The Anacandrians are descended of the chiefs, but have degene- 
rated, and are accounted the bastards of princes, or those who are 
descended from a Rohandrian and any inferior white or black 
women. These are likewise called by the name of Ontempassemca, 
or people from sandy parts of Mecca, from whence, they say, came 
the Rohandrians. Both the Rohandrians and Anacandrians w'ear 
long hair, which hang down in curls ; and enjoy the privilege of 
killing beasts. The Ondzatsi, or lowest class of whites, are descended 
from the bastards of the Anacandrians. These are all fishermen, 
and are allowed to kill no land-animal, except a chicken. The four 
classes of negroes are named Voadziri, Lohavohits, Ontsoa, and 
Ondevenes. The Voadziri, the most powerful and the richest, are 
masters of several villages, and descended from the original lords of 
the country. They enjoy the privilege of killing beasts, when at a 
distance from the whites, an^ no Rohandrian or Anacandrian is in 
the village. 
The Lohavohits are descended from the Voadziri and also lords; but 
with this difference, that the one commands a whole district, and the 
jurisdiction of the other extends only to their own family and village. 
They are also permitted to kill those beasts they intend to eat, when 
at a distance from the whites. Ontsoa are next to the Lohavohits, 
and are their near relations. The Ondevenes are the low'est of all, 
being originally slaves both by father and mother. The Voadziri, 
