FLORA, FAUNA, AND LANGUAGE. 
317 
members of the community after the departure 
of the credulous and often hilarious devotees. 
The cactus or prickly pear is planted by the 
Hovas about their towns and houses as a protec¬ 
tion against human or other foes, and a most 
effectual rampart it makes in a very short time. 
It is called in the language of the island, “ Tsy 
afak omby,” or that which the oxen cannot pass; 
and against even a hostile attack from another 
tribe this simple protection has been found quite 
sufficient, as its long and stiff barbed leaves 
inflict terrible wounds upon the naked bodies 
and unshod feet of the enemy. The most attrac¬ 
tive plant in Madagascar is doubtless the Ouvi- 
randra fenestralis or Lace-leaf plant already re¬ 
ferred to, which, with the Nepenthes or Pitcher- 
plants, at once secure the attention of all lovers 
of the curious and beautiful in nature. Of the 
several varieties of the orchid family to be found 
in the woods of Madagascar we must also speak 
briefly, as of late years these exquisite specimens 
of nature’s handiwork have become known and 
are very much admired in Europe. They appear 
to find a lodging upon the larger forest trees, 
and the contrast between their spotless waxy 
petals of pink and white and the decayed trunk 
which supports them is often very striking. 
There are some plants quite peculiar to Mada¬ 
gascar, and they in consequence are often dis- 
