322 
MADAGASCAE. 
babacootes , by whose appearance they were in¬ 
stantly struck with such terror that they fled, 
persuaded that the fugitives had been changed 
into these chattering creatures. They, on the 
contrary, on witnessing the confusion and re¬ 
treat of their enemies, vowed eternal gratitude 
to the quadrumana who had saved them. 
The most graceful butterfly known belongs to 
this island; and the Malagasy lepidoptera are very 
varied and numerous. There are several varie¬ 
ties of the beautifully marked lizard of small 
size, also of chameleons included in the larger 
species. One of the largest of the genus, the 
warty chameleon, is a native of the island, as 
also the large elephantine and the box tortoise. 
The land shells are much admired, and very rare. 
The Malagasy have no outdoor sports or 
pastimes of any importance or special interest, 
if we except occasional expeditions from the 
capital to hunt the wild boar in the forests of 
Imdrina. These really partake more of the nature 
of a court pageant than of real sport; and the 
object is not so much to secure recreation and 
healthy exercise, as to afford an opportunity for 
the display of hospitality, and to give visitors 
and the queen’s guests a view of the arnbany- 
vohitra , or country districts in the neighbour¬ 
hood of the capital. 
Many years ago considerable sensation was 
