HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
283 
Prior to the year 1821, a distinction prevailed, by which 
no person was allowed to ride in the native chair or palan¬ 
quin, except the royal family, the judges, and first officers 
of state, called Maroserana; but this, with other customs 
of a similar kind, was afterwards abolished by Radama at 
the recommendation of the late Mr. Hastie. The only 
distinctive marks of office amongst the Malagasy, in addition 
to the dress and arms of the body-guard, are such as have 
been introduced by Europeans, and already noticed. One 
exception, however, must be made in favour of venerable 
men, or elders, who often wear a large heavy silver ring 
hanging from each ear, its weight being such as to pull 
down the ear like a cord, until the ring touches the 
shoulders. 
Few of the natives are entirely clothed in European 
apparel : those who have adopted it are usually seen 
arrayed partly in foreign, and partly in native costume. 
The present queen frequently appears in public with the 
large folds of the white native lamba spread over a rich 
silk, or other European dress. 
The Malagasy are fond of ornaments: those generally 
worn are of gold, silver, ivory, bones, beads, or shells. All 
classes are accustomed to wear necklaces, earrings, and rings 
on the fingers, with ornaments in the hair and on the fore¬ 
head. Bracelets, chains, and charms of various descrip¬ 
tions, are used; but flowers, which have been so frequently 
adopted by other nations, as congenial to a simple and 
unsophisticated taste for the beautiful in nature, they never 
wear by way of ornament. The Hovas adorn themselves 
with large silver rings on the fore-arm, round the wrists; 
and some of the tribes wear, on public occasions, large 
silver chains round their waists. 
Besides the rings and chains of silver, large rings of 
