18 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
timid; and if resisted by the human species, seeks safety in 
retreat. 
On the bank of the long and narrow lake Imoasa, the 
next at which the traveller arrives, stands the small village 
of Amblla. The waters are here brackish, from the junction 
between the lake and the sea. The natives are in the habit, 
in most places, when the wind is gentle and steady, of 
raising sail, by means of their lambas tied to a pole, and 
feel not a little mortified, should the traveller, distrusting 
their 44 skill in sailing,” object to this mode of saving their 
labour, and expediting the voyage. 
The lake Imdasa terminates at an isthmus, or bank, 
called Andavaka menarana , 44 the hole of serpents,” from 
the number of these reptiles said to have been found there. 
This is the widest bank between the lakes. It extends 
about three-quarters of a mile: a pleasant and spacious 
path leads through a thick wood to the next stream, Rano- 
marnty , i. e. black-water; a name correctly bestowed from 
the appearance of the water. The stream is narrow and 
serpentine, scarcely affording space sufficient for a canoe to 
pass. The canoe, if pushed with too much force, strikes 
against the winding bank, and is certainly upset. The 
stream afterwards becomes wider, and is from 100 to 300 
feet across, but still difficult to navigate, on account of the 
quantity of fallen timber strewn in its waters. The scenery 
is inexpressibly charming, and well compensates the lover 
of the picturesque and beautiful in nature for the incon¬ 
veniences sustained. 
Ranomainty joins the Iharoka, the largest river in Beta- 
nimena, which falls into the sea to the south of Andevoranto, 
a large village, containing from 200 to 300 houses, and 
having about 1200 inhabitants. The houses resemble, in 
structure, those of Tamatave. The village is a mart for 
