HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
425 
a small natural grove/ The altar itself is merely a heap 
of stones, and one slab fixed perpendicularly in the earth. 
This is smeared with the burnt fat of sacrifices; and 
around the altar, and amongst the branches of the trees, are 
the heads of poultry and sheep, and the horns of bullocks, 
which at different times have been sacrificed there. 
The Vazimbas sustain two characters. They are either 
masina or masiaka, and occasionally they partake of both. 
When a Vazimba grants the favour requested, he is deno¬ 
minated masina—holy, placable, effective. When, on the 
other hand, a Vazimba causes disease or death, he is said 
to be masiaka—fierce, implacable. 
This account of the Vazimba may not improperly be 
closed with a few anecdotes, illustrative of the opinions of 
the people respecting them. 
A few years ago the Missionaries visited the grave at 
Ampanibe, which is one of the most popular in the neigh¬ 
bourhood of the capital. They were accompanied by some 
of the scholars, one of whom had been ill a short time 
before, owing, it was said, to a fright he had received on 
seeing a terrific Vazimba. To convince the youths of the 
groundless nature of their fears, and the impossibility of 
the Vazimba doing them any real injury, the Missionaries 
cut off a branch from a tree growing near the altar, and 
took away one of the stones. 44 Do not touch,” exclaimed 
the terrified scholars, 44 the Vazimba will certainly be 
enraged, and you will become ill and die.” Two of the 
youths, however, summoned sufficient courage, and were 
persuaded to carry the branch and the stone into the town, 
which they did with many fears and misgivings, under the 
promise that medicines would be given them if illness 
should ensue. Their more timid companions endeavoured 
to check them by saying, 44 You will assuredly be taken 
