HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
27 
CHAP II. 
Climate of Madagascar—Fluctuations in the temperature of the atmosphere 
—Insalubrity of the greater part of the sea-coast—Healthiness of the 
interior—The Malagasy year—Periodical rains—Number and names of 
the months—The seasons of the Malagasy year; import of their designa¬ 
tions—Thunder and lightning—Water-spouts—Whirlwinds—Meteors— 
Variety and fertility of the soil—Productions—Forests—Trees and plants, 
indigenous and exotic—Honey and gums — Birds, native and foreign 
—Fable of the birds choosing a king—Wild and tame quadrupeds 
—Fishes ; efforts to obtain a supply for the capital—Amphibious animals 
—Account of the crocodiles; peculiar habits of the animal—Sagacity of 
the dog—Fable of the serpent, the crocodile, and the dog—Superstition 
of the natives respecting the crocodile—Insects and reptiles. 
The climate of Madagascar is exceedingly diversified, both 
in the range of its temperature, and the degrees of its 
salubrity. The heat, in the low lands and on the coast, is 
often intense; but in the interior and elevated parts of the 
country, it is mild, the thermometer seldom rising above 85°. 
In the different sections, every variety of temperature may 
be met with, from the comparatively oppressive heat of the 
coast, to the cold of the lofty Ankaratra range, on the sum¬ 
mit of which, ice may often be found; or the elevated regions 
in the northern part of the island, where showers of sleet 
are frequently seen. 
