264 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
strength, inflammation of the eyes, and other unfavourable 
symptoms. 
Those who are much addicted to it are incapable of any 
exertion, except during the time they are intoxicated. My 
curiosity (says Drury) led me to try the experiment upon 
myself; but it made my head so giddy, that I was intoxicated 
for the space of three days, and so sick as never to be 
induced to meddle with it any more.” 
When the Malagasy receive friends at their houses, their 
amusements consist in visiting, accompanied by their guests, 
the neighbouring chiefs; and when sitting in their own 
house, they recount the deeds of their ancestors, which are 
handed down from father to son, and form the principal 
topic of their conversation. They also consult on the best 
means of annoying their enemies, and arrange plans for 
future expeditions; during the day, they entertain each 
other in a sumptuous manner, and were accustomed 
formerly on these occasions to drink copiously of an 
intoxicating beverage, while songs, dancing, and merriment 
were kept up during the night. 
The chiefs in some parts of the island never go abroad 
without a fowling-piece, and a stick tipped with iron at one 
end, the other being ornamented with a tuft of cow’s hair. 
They seldom take any part in ordinary manual labour, 
excepting that, after the country has been scoured by a 
hostile army, and the rice-grounds have been devastated, 
or have been destroyed by extensive inundations, the master 
will add his own exertions to those of his slaves, in order 
to prepare the ground for sowing. 
The favourite amusements of the men are hunting wild 
cattle, and occasionally, though very rarely, fishing. The 
following account of their method of killing the wild cattle 
is given by Drury. He describes the wild cattle as being 
