38 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
large supply of gum copal. The voahena abounds, which 
yields the gum elastic; the roindambo, a species of smilax, 
but not the true sarsaparilla; the avozo, laurus sassafras, 
and belahy, a species of simaroba. Zahana, bignonia 
articulata, is used for spear-handles, walking-sticks, &c., 
and partly for the same purposes, the voankitsihity, or 
bignonia Telfaria, of Boyer; zozoro, is the papyrus of 
Madagascar; several species of hibiscus and mimosa are 
also found; the former is used for the manufacture of 
cordage, and a coarse beaten cloth; the latter, called fano, is 
frequently planted near the tombs of the Vazimba, in 
Imerina. 
There must also be added to the list, the seva, buddleia 
Mad. ; the cytisus caja , or pigeon-pea, (native name 
ambarivatry;) the songosongo, a noble species of euphorbia, 
employed as a common fence in cultivated lands; laingio, 
sophonicus lingum, a plant used by the natives in cleaning 
their teeth ; and the tangena veneniflua , of which tree, and 
its medicinal qualities, a description will be given in the 
account of the ordeal of tangena, in which it is employed 
with such fatal effect. 
Madagascar yields also an ample supply of spices; e. g. 
the agathophyllum aromaticum, called by the natives, 
ravintsara, “ the excellent leaf,” on account of its delicious 
flavour; the longoza, curcuma zedoaria ; also ginger, wild 
pepper, capsicums, and turmeric, called tantamo, curcuma 
long a* There abounds also fary, sugar-cane; landihazo, 
the cotton plant; paraky, tobacco ; rongona, hemp: and the 
indigo plant, besides several trees and plants used by the 
natives in dyeing. 
* For several of the scientific designations of the native plants above 
noticed, we are indebted to Professor Bojer, of Mauritius, who kindly 
supplied them to Mr. Freeman, on his late visit to that island. 
