270 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
they are sometimes caught also, by the Vazimbas, with a net 
of ropes, of large meshes, or with snares made with spring 
sticks, to draw up a noose in a rope, which are placed 
at the mouth of a rivulet, or small canal. By these means, 
as many as twenty or thirty alligators are often killed in 
one day. 
A favourite, but cruel and cowardly amusement of the 
Malagasy, and one in which it might be thought there would 
be as little excitement as there is risk, consists of throwing 
stones from a given distance at the head of a fowl, on pay¬ 
ment of a trifling sum to its owner. The poor animal is 
buried in the earth, with the exception of its head, which is 
left above-ground as a mark; and he who can strike it, 
obtains the prize, perhaps for the value of a farthing, while 
the chances being in favour of the owner, he generally 
obtains a good price for his fowl. 
A game frequently carried on, when not prevented by 
any public mourning, is called Mamely dia manga, “ kick¬ 
ing backwards,” or, what may be literally translated, 
66 striking blue with the sole of the foot.” The game 
consists in the parties kicking one another in the same 
manner as horses, asses, or other animals. This accom¬ 
plishment is sedulously cultivated from youth to manhood, 
and many become desperately expert in the amusement, 
if amusement it may be called, where the accidents of 
sprained or broken ankles and legs are not unfrequent 
accompaniments. Hundreds at a time occasionally join in 
this noisy sport, forming themselves into parties, as at an 
English cricket-match, and rushing upon each other with 
amazing force, each one seeking to maintain his advanced 
position, and repel his antagonist by kicking backwards. 
Throwing bamboos, tipped with iron, at a target, is a 
method of accustoming youth to use the spear, and serves 
