216 
MADAGASCAR. 
head, round which three armlet rings are fixed 
in concentric circles, and a few brass-headed 
nails and large coral beads inserted here and 
there by way of completing the effect. A band 
decorated with white shirt buttons is drawn 
across the forehead, and her ears are adorned 
with rings, whilst in the middle of the forehead 
is the inevitable felana or charm. It is quite 
possible to find a Bara matron wearing orna¬ 
ments of the value of nine dollars say, whilst 
the remainder of her wardrobe would be dear at 
one shilling! But the fashionable young Bara 
lady “ paints.” She touches up her eyebrows 
very skilfully with tany fotsy (chalk) or yellow 
earth; and when intending to be absolutely 
overwhelming, she covers her face with a white 
coating, leaving her nose and eyelids only in 
their natural condition. 
Money is of little value in the south-west, but 
beads (the very small ones, or the oblong white 
with a blue or red stripe, the coral of all kinds, 
and silver), brass, pewter, and copper rings, for 
ears, arms, fingers, toes, will always purchase 
food in any locality. The long red beads (not 
coral), blue, yellow, and brown, are not much 
sought after. But looking-glasses are here, as in 
most other places, eagerly bought. The Bara 
like to see themselves, and with all their seeming 
neglect of appearances, there is a personal vanity 
