HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
263 
think it much wiser not to weary, or even to exert them¬ 
selves for nothing. Yet some of their amusements consist 
of the most violent athletic exercise, which would seem 
incompatible with their apparent love of repose. The 
truth is, that, like most other human beings, they are acted 
upon by immediate excitement, so that when an object with 
which they are pleased is presented to their notice, their 
energies are roused, and they pursue it with great avidity; 
but no sooner does the excitement subside, than they 
return to their quiet, inanimate existence, scarcely distin¬ 
guished from the repose of the mere animal. 
Highly consistent with this state of inanity is their love of 
smoking—an amusement to which those who are deficient 
in mental resources, and whose object it is to surrender 
themselves , as passive recipients of a sort of animal dream¬ 
ing, yet most unproductive of enjoyment, are particularly 
addicted. In one part of the island a practice of smoking 
rongona, or native hemp, prevails, which Drury describes as 
a plant that grows about five feet high, and bears a small 
long leaf with a pod, which contains about a dozen seeds 
like hemp-seed. These leaves and seeds are mixed 
together, and laid in the sun for three or four days succes¬ 
sively until they are very dry, and, thus prepared, are fit to 
be smoked. The pipes used for this purpose are made of 
reeds, or rather small canes. Sometimes a long shell is 
used. The quality of the plant is such as to produce 
intoxication, while the eyes of the smoker look red and 
fiery, and his whole appearance fierce and savage. It is 
easy to distinguish those who smoke the rongona, for, while 
the effect lasts, they are more vigorous and resolute, often 
acting like madmen. The effect of the plant thus used is 
so strong, as in the first instance to produce a state border¬ 
ing on delirium, which is followed by a total prostration of 
