284 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
cotton or hemp, covered with small beads, arranged after 
various patterns, are worn by both sexes on the arms above 
the elbows, or as bracelets on the wrists. Anklets of the 
same kind are also common. Ornaments of gold are few, 
and next to them those of silver are held in the highest 
estimation. In addition to the chains and rings already 
noticed, an article of silver, from one to four inches in 
length, hollow, and slightly curved at the point, bearing 
some resemblance to the crocodile’s tooth, (the name by 
which it is called,) is in very general use. Sometimes 
these silver teeth are fastened, with the points upwards, to 
a fillet worn round the head; at other times they are fixed 
to the armlets, bracelets, or anklets of the people, or they 
are fastened to a necklace or bolt hung over the shoulder, 
and passing across the breast. The extent to which they 
are worn may be inferred from the number on the person 
of the chieftain whose portrait forms the frontispiece to the 
present volume. 
Necklaces of beads are frequently used; and suspended 
from these, on a silver chain, many wear a breastplate of 
silver. Sometimes the necklace is formed of dollars fastened 
together at their edges; at other times, a bandage of the 
same kind, fastened in a similar way,is worn round the head. 
The Sakalavas seem to be exceedingly fond of ornaments of 
silver or ivory, and are occasionally seen with a ring in one 
of the nostrils, as well as a circular ornament of ivory or 
silver, which they wear on the forehead. 
Although natural flowers are not worn, the natives at the 
capital have lately imbibed a taste for artificial flowers; 
and at public dances, or other occasions of festivity, a 
number of females are generally seen decorated with gar¬ 
lands of artificial flowers on their heads, or flowers and 
feathers in their hair. 
