316 
MADAGASCAR. 
gam is extracted, which is afterwards manipu¬ 
lated into what is commonly known as india- 
rubber, or more properly, caoutchouc , is to bore a 
small hole in the trunk, and thus tap the tree. 
The gum then gradually oozes out into a recep¬ 
tacle placed for it, and no mischief is done to the 
tree. The natives, however, have stupidly cut 
down the trees merely to get one supply of the 
resin, and have thus been killing the “ goose 
that laid the golden egg” to such an extent, 
that the produce of this tree has almost ceased 
to be obtainable by traders in sufficient quantities 
to justify any expenditure for its collection in 
the interior. The mango-tree is held in especial 
reverence by the natives, probably on account 
of the majesty of its appearance when it has 
reached maturity, and also on account of the 
density and beauty of its foliage. Beneath this 
tree parties of the Betsimisaraka may frequently 
be seen sitting and feasting for a whole day, 
and propitiating the angatra or spirit which is 
their particular deity. Libations of toaka are 
poured out at the roots, and the trunk and stem 
are often decorated with shreds and streamers of 
particoloured cotton cloth. Small offerings of 
money are also carefully wrapped in pieces of 
rag, and inserted into the crevices or between 
the forks of the boughs, which are as carefully 
abstracted by the more enlightened and daring 
