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CHAPTER III. 
TRIBAL DIVISIONS—CONQUEST BY THE HOVAS. 
Although the name “ Malagasy” is, now given to 
the whole of the inhabitants of the island, they 
do not appear to have sprung originally from one 
race. On the contrary, the distinctive marks of 
a diverse descent are numerous and conclusive. 
The oval features, lank hair, elegant figures, and 
light complexion of the dominant race, the Hovas, 
at once fix their origin as Malayan ; whilst the 
woolly head, thick and prominent lips, broad faces, 
' and black skin of the numerous branches of the 
Betsimisaraka tribe on the east coast, point to 
Africa without doubt as their ancestral home. 
The whole question, however, of the origin of 
the Malagasy, is a difficult one, and it is almost 
impossible to obtain any accurate information 
upon the subject from either their traditions or 
their folk-lore. The peculiarities of the people 
generally, their physical appearance, their mental 
capabilities, their manners and customs, their 
