320 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
level with small pointed hammers. In paving, or erecting 
their structures of stone, they used a kind of red earth 
for cement, until 1828, when Mr. Cameron discovered 
lime in the province of Imerina, and taught the people to 
burn it, and prepare excellent mortar. Many of the tombs 
and cenotaphs of the nobles and warriors are durable monu¬ 
ments of the industry, perseverance, and skill of the native 
masons, and promise much for the nation, with the great 
advantage which the discovery of excellent lime will afford 
them. 
Another important occupation, which has been long fol¬ 
lowed by the people, is the manufacture of earthenware. 
Earthenware is used in every house, and potteries are 
found all over the island. The large jars used for holding 
water, or for fetching it from the streams, and other kinds 
of coarse earthenware, are well made and durable; it is 
polished with a substance resembling plumbago, found in 
several of the provinces. Their lighter earthen or crockery 
ware is much more brittle than that of England, but is 
still highly serviceable to the natives; and the progress they 
have made in this useful art, shows that they are far 
advanced above a state of barbarism. Large quantities of 
earthenware are made in the eastern parts of Aanradrano, 
where a very suitable kind of clay is found in considerable 
abundance. In this department of labour, females chiefly 
are employed.* When the articles are sufficiently dry, a 
sort of kiln is prepared by digging a hole in the earth, or 
building a circular wall on the surface, on which husks of 
' A 
* A curious circumstance is said to have occurred with regard to some 
female potters. At the time of Radama’s accession, orders had been issued, 
agreeably to former usages, that during the time bf public mourning for his 
father, no pottery should be made. Seven females, however, were found 
at work, in disregard of the king's orders. Radama resolved not to put them 
to death, but sentenced them to work incessantly. And as they chose not 
