HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
81 
of the country north and south. A beautiful wood resem¬ 
bling mahogany, called mango wood, and excellent for 
cabinet work, is found here, though not known to exist 
elsewhere in the island. The river Mangoro, from its 
direction and magnitude, would be well adapted for the 
conveyance of merchandise between the coast and the inte¬ 
rior of the island, but for its numerous and rapid falls, 
which in some places may be considered cataracts; and, 
though not so large as to deserve notice as objects of curi¬ 
osity or surprise, render the currents too impetuous for the 
purposes of navigation. 
The only province remaining to be noticed is Ankova . 
But as this province is the country of the present rulers of 
the island, the site of the capital, the seat of the govern¬ 
ment, as well as having been the principal and almost 
exclusive scene of the labours of the Protestant Mission 
in the island, a more detailed account is required of this 
central part of the island. 
I. 
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