HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
237 
come near the place, the corpse is set down, and then they 
proceed to the rest of the ceremony; this is—to make four 
fires, one at each corner, on the outside of the burying- 
place. On these fires they burn the cow, or ox, which was 
killed before for that purpose: then they divide it into 
quarters, which are all consumed in the flames. After this, 
they sprinkle frankincense upon the coals, and spread them 
all about. This being done, the chief or eldest of the 
family goes close to the entrance of the burying-place, and 
halloos aloud several times; after a short pause, he calls 
upon all the dead there deposited, commencing at the 
earliest and proceeding to the last, and each one distinctly 
by his name; and in the conclusion tells them, that there 
is a grandchild or near relation come to lie amongst them, 
and that he hopes they will receive him as a friend. Then 
the gate is opened, and two or three persons are sent in to 
dig the grave, which is made, for the generality, seven or 
eight feet deep, and the corpse is placed in it, and covered 
over with the earth, without any further ceremony. None 
are permitted to enter here, but some of the nearest rela¬ 
tions, and the bearers; and the door is immediately shut 
fast again. There is commonly a crowd of people without, 
who are busy in carving up and dividing among themselves 
the oxen that have been killed for distribution, if it be a 
great and rich family that can afford it; but the poorer 
sort cannot gratify their friends in so bountiful a manner. 
They generally visit this burying-place once a year, to clear 
it from weeds, and make it clean; but never enter it till 
they have first burnt a cow or bullock before it.” 
It is customary at the interment of any of the royal 
family, or of the nobles, to deposit large quantities of pro¬ 
perty in the tomb with the corpse, especially of such 
articles as the deceased was known to be attached to 
