344 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
struck with the superior culture of the soil, and with other 
marks of the industry of the inhabitants, perhaps the more 
surprising to him from having been accustomed to hear 
the Hovas speak of them as an indolent people. The 
general appearance of the country, in his opinion, showed 
that the people by whom it was cultivated, would, under a 
proper system of government, become most valuable 
subjects. The Hovas say that the Manendy, when in 
marauding expeditions, can live on leaves and roots. 
Mr. Hastie’s opinion was, that they were a hardy race, 
whose general provisions were far superior to those of the 
Hovas. 
Radama being informed that a number of persons were 
residing near the coast at Matomba, directed announce¬ 
ments to be made, that he would hold a public kabary at 
Amboyhitrosy on the wane of the next moon, in order that 
the people might have time to assemble ; his intention being 
to make easy marches across the desert to that place. In 
the mean time, Mr. Hastie having formed a plan for visiting 
the coast, and particularly such places as were likely to 
encourage the violation of the slave laws, decided upon 
tracing the course of the river to the sea, and then proceeding 
by the coast to Matomba. 
On his again going to the camp of Radama, an instance 
of the gross superstitions of the country occurred to his 
notice, which as it strikingly illustrated the state of the people 
at that time, may be worthy of a place in the history of the 
country at large. 
The army had been encamped for some days at a place 
called Manahasaha, near the river Manahasaha, where 
the great abundance of wild cattle afforded amusement to 
the soldiers, who were often permitted to hunt them. On the 
13th of October, at the moment when the tents were about 
