96 
MADAGASCAR. 
Tamatave and abroad to the capital. This chain 
of lakes is one of the most peculiar and interest¬ 
ing physical features of the island, as they follow 
from end to end the line of the sea-shore; and 
whilst at some points they are four or five miles 
distant from the coast, at others only a few feet 
of sand separates their waters from those of the 
Indian Ocean. The lakes have not, however, 
an uninterrupted course, and stretches of land 
intervene, varying from a mile to a hundred 
yards across. Over these the lakayia has to be 
carried, and this frequent change from the Jilan- 
jdna to the boat makes this mode of travelling 
tedious at times, especially in the wet season. 
It was one of the great schemes of Eadama I. 
to dig through these obstacles, and thus complete 
an uninterrupted communication; and he vis¬ 
ited the coast in person at the head of a vast 
concourse of people to carry out the work. 
Crowds of natives from all parts assembled in 
obedience to his command—each furnished with 
a considerable store of provisions, and the rude 
implements used by these people for agricultural 
purposes. He directed that no one should be 
permitted to return home or leave the locality 
on any pretence till the projected cuttings w T ere 
finished. The plan was a bold and at the same 
time sagacious conception, and worthy of the 
practical and energetic mind of the founder of 
