HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
297 
plain, of many square miles in extent, unbroken except by 
here and there a tree or cottage, divided into several thou¬ 
sand fields, varying in size from half an acre to six or seven 
acres, all covered with luxuriant growing, or healthful 
yellow and ripening grain, the large-bearded ears of which’ 
shine and rustle as they wave beneath the passing breeze, 
and bend from the weight of the grain sometimes half¬ 
way to the ground, while the cluster of stalks produced by 
a single seed is often so large, that the reaper cannot with 
one grasp gather it into his hand. 
Each field is divided from the rest by a small bank about 
six or nine inches wide, the top of which being generally 
raised six inches above the field, forms a smooth foot-path, 
affording great convenience to the labourer employed in 
the field. By the side of these paths, little rills are led 
over the entire plain, so that every field may be watered 
when necessary. These rills are supplied from canals, 
which, in the neighbourhood of the capital, convey water to 
the remote parts of the plain, extending from the Ikiopa, a 
large and winding river, which flows around great part of 
the capital, adorning the landscape, and clothing the valleys 
with fruitfulness and verdure. The channel of the Ikiopa 
is defended on both sides by strong banks of earth, so that 
though several feet higher than the fields, they are seldom 
injured by any irruption of its waters. At times, however, 
such an accident occurs, and the occasion calls forth all 
the inhabitants, who rush in a body to the place, carrying 
with them whatever they can find in their way, to assist in 
stemming the torrent, willingly sacrificing at such times 
houses and garden walls, to confine the water within its 
accustomed channel, and prevent the inroads of the inun¬ 
dation, which would, in all probability, destroy the greater 
part of the crop. 
