HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
85 
for the growth of rice, are planted with rushes; a valuable 
production to the cultivator, being in extensive demand 
for thatching, making baskets, matting, hats, fuel, &c. 
The higher level grounds, and the sides of the hills, where 
the ascent is not so steep as to expose the soil to the 
liability of being washed away in the rainy season, are 
planted with manioc, sweet potatoes, gourds, sugarcane, 
beans, &c. 
The Ikiopa is the finest river within a great distance 
of the Capital, which at unequal distances it almost sur¬ 
rounds. It rises in the east, runs southward, bearing to the 
west, where several tributary streams from the Ankaratra 
range augment its waters; continuing its course, it at length 
falls into the Betsiboka, which, as already remarked, flows 
into the sea on the north-west coast of Madagascar, not 
far from Mananjary. This river waters the fine vale of 
Betsimitatatra, which lies to the west of the capital. 
The vale itself reaches from thirty to forty miles, in a 
direction from north to south, varying in width from half 
a mile to four miles. It is, however, impossible, merely 
by specifying its length and width, to convey an accurate 
idea of the form or beauty of the Betsimitatatra vale. 
Its rich productions throughout its whole exent, its irregular 
outline, terminated by innumerable rising grounds and 
gently-sloping hills, covered with villages, or adorned with 
cultivation, continually present to the traveller new and 
varying scenes of tranquillity and loveliness. In the rainy 
season especially, Betsimitatatra, viewed from the capital, 
presents the most charming and delightful scenery. It 
is extensively cultivated, and the beautiful green of the 
rice plantations, in the early part of the season, is not 
surpassed by the finest herbage of the European land¬ 
scape. 
