HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
113 
CHAP. V. 
Population of Madagascar—Its probable amount—The chief political divi¬ 
sions of the people, and the estimated number of each division—Dispro¬ 
portion of population to the extent and resources of the country—General 
description of the Malagasy—Description of the several races in the 
island—Their respective provinces—The Hovas ; import of the term ; 
their figure, colour, number, &c.—The Vazimba, or probable aborigines 
of Madagascar—The Kimois, or nation of dwarfs—The Sakalavas ; their 
character, colour, habits, &c—The Bezanozano and the Antsianaka—The 
north and south Betsileo—The Betsimisaraka and Betamimena; their 
stature, complexion, &c.—The inhabitants of the Isle of St. Mary’s— 
The Zafindramina, or descendants of the mother of Mahomet—Probable 
origin of the distinct races in the island—Intellectual character of the 
people—Moral qualities of the Malagasy—Their general disregard of truth, 
&c.—Baneful influence of superstition on their moral character. 
In a country which has, until recently, remained almost 
entirely destitute of every species of statistical record, it 
is exceedingly difficult to obtain any thing approaching to 
accurate information respecting the number of its inhabit¬ 
ants. Hence the population of Madagascar has been 
variously estimated by different writers. It has, however, 
generally been supposed to amount to about four millions; 
and from as correct a census as the state of the island 
admitted, taken a short time previous to the decease of 
the late king, Radama, it appears probable that this 
estimate is not excessive, but that it would be a nearer 
approximation to its actual amount of population, to state 
it at from four millions and a half, to five millions. As the 
basis of this estimate, it was ascertained by Prince Coroller, 
from the officers of the respective districts, the Vadintany, 
that there were upwards of one million of houses: five 
persons were adopted as the average number of each house¬ 
hold. The entire population thus given, comprehends the 
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