Mr. E. Newton's Second Visit to Madagascar. 
333 
XXIX. Notes of a Second Visit to Madagascar. 
By Edward Newton, M.A., C.M.Z.S. 
I have much pleasure in being able to forward the bird-notes 
of a second visit to Madagascar. I left Mauritius on the 30th 
August, 1862, on board of H.M.S.S. ‘Gorgon ; 3 but light winds 
prevented our reaching Tamatave before the 5th September. 
For the first week we remained at Tamatave or in its neighbour¬ 
hood, chiefly at Soamandrikazay, on the Hivondrona river, and 
about four miles from its mouth, where we were most hospitably 
entertained by Mr. Ferdinand Fiche. I say “ we/' for the 
party consisted of Mr. G. E. Maule, Lieut. R.A., who had come 
down in the e Gorgon/ and Mr. J. Magee, a gentleman who 
for three months had been collecting the rare and splendid 
orchids of the country. We then proceeded to Foule Point 
and Fenerive by easy stages, arriving at the latter on the 16th 
September. There is but little variety in the country between 
Tamatave and Fenerive; the route lies close along the coast, for 
a great part of the way on the beach, the men and ourselves 
often walking in the surf for the sake of the firmer tread the 
wet sand afforded us. When the path leaves the shore, it passes 
through thick scrubby bush, which, shutting out the wind, but 
allowing the sun at mid-day to come streaming down, makes 
walking in the deep sand weary work,—or over large plains of 
grass, closely eaten down by the large herds of cattle. Several 
rivers have to be crossed; and as there is generally only one 
small canoe for the passage, and that often on the wrong side of 
the river, with the ferryman absent, much time is lost in getting 
men and baggage over, the former being nearly always too much 
afraid of the “ Voay >} (Crocodiles) to swim across* About five 
miles from Fenerive the country becomes slightly undulating, 
and apparently continues so for some miles to the northward. 
We left Fenerive on the 19th, and reached Soamandrikazay 
again on the 21st. Thence we proceeded up the right fork 
of the river called Fangandrafrah in canoes for about fifteen 
* At one narrow, clear stream, however, just before reaching Foule Point, 
there was a very decent bridge; and below it we found the scarce Lattice¬ 
leaved plant (Ouvirandra fenestralis ) growing plentifully. 
