212 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
butter and cheese were unknown, till made on the spot 
by Europeans, and, though highly esteemed by many of 
the natives, have not yet been brought into general use. 
Tobacco is cultivated to a considerable extent by the 
Malagasy, but it is not smoked, or used alone, as in other 
countries. With its medicinal properties the natives are 
acquainted, and in their medical preparations it is frequently 
employed, but it is chiefly used in the manufacture of snuff. 
In the preparation of this article, which is taken as a 
luxury and a stimulant, the leaves of tobacco are dried and 
pulverized; to this powder is added the ashes of the leaves 
of a sweet-scented herb, in the proportions of two-thirds 
powdered tobacco, and one third ashes; a small quantity of 
potash or salt is thrown in, and the whole well mixed is 
considered fit for use. The Malagasy, it may be remarked, 
take great quantities of snuff, but have their own mode of 
doing it. Europeans prefer taking it at the nose The 
Malagasy, perhaps less wisely, prefer the mouth. The 
former deposit the grateful narcotic in the nostrils, the latter 
pour as much as the space will conveniently hold between 
the teeth in the lower jaw, and the inner surface of the 
under lip; thence to suck it leisurely, they think renders 
the pleasure more lasting than a mere hasty, evanescent 
sniff could afford. Which custom is really most conform¬ 
able to nature, or best answers the purpose for which 
tobacco was originally designed, is a point which it is not 
essential at present to decide. 
The use of the rongona , or native hemp, a powerful 
stimulant, usually smoked, was formerly very general; it was 
frequently taken before going to battle, on the same prin¬ 
ciple that an extra allowance of ardent spirits is served 
out to men in the army or navy of our own country before 
going to action, but its use has lately been prohibited by 
