HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
79 
Ambongo is the only province in Madagascar, whose 
inhabitants did not, more or less, acknowledge the sove¬ 
reignty of Radama, and whom he had not attempted to 
reduce to subjection. 
The principal rivers here are, the Manambaho, the 
Sambaho, and Iantsanira, which last falls into the sea 
south of Cape St. Andrew. The province is separated 
from Iboina by the river Mangaray. 
Seventeenth, Iboina , lies north of Ambongo. This pro¬ 
vince is also level and woody. It abounds in marshes, 
and hence also in fevers. The population is considerable, 
and the soil is generally productive. Cattle is very 
numerous. The chief river here is the Betsiboka, which 
runs into the sea near Mojanga. Near this is the small 
village of Bombitoka. This name seems to be a corrup¬ 
tion of the Malagasy Vohim-be toaka , i. e. “ the village 
of much spirituous liquor.’’ The Arabs have long been 
accustomed to visit this place, and many of them reside 
here for the purposes of trade; they are called by the 
Malagasy, Talaotra. 
To the east of Iboina lies Vohimarina, which has been 
already described. The Betsileo country has been spoken 
of as south of Ankova; that to the north, the eighteenth 
province, is called Antsianaka.* This is an extensive 
tract of country, abounding with large herds of cattle. 
Sheep, as well as bullocks, are numerous here. Rice is 
not largely cultivated, but the finest cotton in the island 
is produced in this province, and its cultivation might be 
greatly increased, as the soil appears well adapted to its 
growth. Great quantities are sold in the markets in the 
raw state, and afterwards manufactured by the natives into 
* Literally the name signifies, “ The province of not children,” i. e. 
not subject to others—independent. 
