HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
335 
gradually approximate, and at last agree. An immense 
length of time is frequently spent in a wordy contest for 
the value of one penny. Bargains are usually concluded 
by the parties buying and selling exchanging the salutation, 
Soavatsara , “ may it be good and well.” 
The Malagasy have no circulating medium of their own. 
Dollars are known more or less throughout the island ; but 
in many of the provinces trade is carried on principally by 
an exchange of commodities. The Spanish dollar, stamped 
with the two pillars, bears the highest value. For sums 
below a dollar, the inconvenient method is resorted to in the 
interior, of weighing the money in every case. Dollars are 
cut up into small pieces, and four iron weights are used for 
the half, quarter, eighth, and twelfth of a dollar. Below 
that amount, divisions are effected by combinations of the 
four weights, and also by means of grains of rice, even 
down so low as one single grain —“ vary iray verity,” one 
plump grain, valued at the seven hundred and twentieth 
part of a dollar. 
The following is a table of the moneys thus used;— 
No. ]. Loso.One-half Dollar. 
2. Kirobo.One-fourth 
3. Sikajy.One-eighth 
4. Roavoamena . . . One-twelfth ... 
These four are estimated by the single weights, above 
named; other, and smaller amounts, have their specific 
denominations as annexed:—- 
Yoamena . . Twenty-fourth of a Dollar, made by putting No. 4 wt. 
against No. 3. 
Lasiray . . Sixteenth ... Half a sikajy. 
Lasi-roa . . A lasiray and a voamena. 
Lasitelo . . A lasiray and a roavoamena. 
Venty .... Sixth of a dollar, sikajy, and a voamena. 
Raimbilanja . Sikajy and a roavoamena. 
Sasanangy . . Kiroba and ditto. 
