X 
CONTENTS. 
CHAP. IV. 
Province of Ankova—Meaning of the name—The chief divisions of the 
province Imerina—Its general aspect—Elevation of its mountains—Relics 
of antiquity—Objects of superstitious veneration—Salubrity of Ankova 
—Produce of the country—Subdivisions or clans, Voro-mahery, Imamo? 
Vonizongo—Tomb of Rapeto—Peculiarities of the inhabitants of Ankova 
—Account of Tananarivo, the capital of the island—Its geographical 
situation—Its elevation above the level of the sea—Import of the name— 
Population of Tananarivo—Dwellings of the people —Construction of 
their houses—Divisions in the capital—Public thoroughfares—The palace 
—The silver house—The throne of the kingdom—Site of the tombs of 
the reigning family—Antsahatsiroa, place of public assembly — The 
Tarpeian rock of Tananarivo—The several places of execution—Market 
—Central school and chapel—Mission buildings—Burial-ground for 
strangers—Country residences of the king—State of the public roads— 
Remains of ancient fortifications. 82 
CHAP. V. 
Population of Madagascar—Its probable amount—The chief political divi¬ 
sions of the people, and the estimated number of each division—Dispro¬ 
portion of population to the extent and resources of the country—General 
description of the Malagasy—Description of the several races in the 
island—Their respective provinces—The Hovas ; import of the term; 
their figure, colour, number, &c.—The Vazimba, or probable aborigines 
of Madagascar—The Kimois, or nation of dwarfs—The Sakalavas ; their 
character, colour, habits, &c.—The Bezanozano and the Antsianaka—The 
north and south Betsileo—The Betsimisaraka and Betanimena; their 
stature, complexion, &c.—The inhabitants of the Isle of St. Mary’s— 
The Zafindramina, or descendants of the mother of Mahomet—Probable 
origin of the distinct races in the island—Intellectual character of the 
people—Moral qualities of the Malagasy—Their general disregard of 
truth, &c.—Baneful influence of superstition.113 
CHAP. VI. 
Manners and customs of the Malagasy—Their general uniformity through¬ 
out the different tribes—Observances connected with the birth of children 
—Attentions shewn to the mother—Ceremonies observed on first taking 
the infant out of the house—Employment of the sikidy to ascertain its 
destiny—Proportion of the sexes—Practice of scrambling—Bestowment 
of names—Fearful prevalence of infanticide—Motives to its perpetration 
—Means by which it is effected—Circumstances in which it differs from 
the infant-murder formerly practised by the South Sea Islanders—Fond¬ 
ness of parents for the children that are spared—Amusements of child¬ 
hood— Occupations of youth—The custom of betrothing—Ages at which 
marriages are celebrated—Ceremonies observed—Parties between whom 
marriage is prohibited—Polygamy; its extent and disastrous effects— 
Divorce; its frequency—Usual mode of proceeding in divorce—Disposal 
of the children—Degraded condition of the female sex. 145 
