316 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
To fell the timber in the forest, for the use of the sove¬ 
reign, is a service devolving upon the woodmen of govern¬ 
ment. This work employs about seven hundred men, who 
are, consequently, called “The seven hundred.” To drag 
the timber from the forest, is an occupation in which all 
the districts in the neighbourhood are required by pro¬ 
clamation to engage, with the exception of the privileged 
classes, who claim some patent of immunity. The super¬ 
intendence of this service is committed to one of the 
judges, who, as occasion may require, issues his directions 
to the head people of the districts and villages; these 
give their orders to the peasantry, stating the quantity 
demanded, and the time specified for its being delivered 
at the capital. 
The whole population is always liable to be employed 
on government work, without remuneration, and for any 
length of time. Hence it has happened, that many 
have become government smiths, carpenters, &c. and 
have continued such for life. In connexion with these 
occupations, those of the marmittes,* native coolies or 
bearers of burden, may be mentioned: they belong 
almost exclusively to the race of the Bezanozano, the 
extent and situation of whose country have been already 
described. 
Numbers of the people are employed through life in 
felling and splitting of trees as a means of subsistence. 
They convey, with immense labour, the trees or thick 
planks which they cut in the forest, to the timber-markets, 
of which there are several about midway between Anta¬ 
nanarivo and Angavo, and to which the builders and others 
repair for the purpose of making purchases. As the 
natives of Madagascar have never employed their oxen 
* Maro-mita-—many passing or crossing to and fro’. 
