NEW GROUND. 
209 
their sharp and rugged peaks rising thousands 
of feet almost perpendicularly. They form a 
grand and awe-inspiring sight. The principal 
mountains in this range are Ivaravarana, Im- 
aroafo, Itoitrano, Iaritsena, and Ivohibe. This 
latter is the most southern part of the range, and 
on it Raibaha, the king of Isantsa, has his 
stronghold, from which he has on many occa¬ 
sions defied the Hova power. The rivers which 
rise near this mountain-range are the Manam- 
bolo, the Tsimandao, the Menarahaka, and Ran- 
omena on the west, the Iriananana and Man- 
ambava on the east. With the exception of the 
marshes of Menarahaka, and those of the valley 
of the Ihosy, the country is composed of dry 
barren uplands, in some places entirely desert. 
The Bara towns are built chiefly upon the 
plains, and appear to be arranged more with 
a view to accommodate the cattle than for the 
comfort of the people. Each town is surrounded 
by a defence of prickly-pear, which sometimes 
reaches a height of sixteen feet; and every town 
has one or more gateways, with avenues of 
prickly-pear leading up to them, while some of 
the more important towns are separated by 
walls of the same material into twenty or thirty 
divisions. The fruit of this pear is eaten with 
avidity by the inhabitants. The construction 
of the gateways of the Bara towns is curious. 
o 
