432 
HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
the process of working. Names are appropriated to all the 
different positions which the numbers, or lines of numbers, 
form; and definite rules given for the comparison of any 
two of these names; in other cases, of three; and in some 
so high as four. 
There are also other modes of working the sikidy; but 
this is the most popular process, and in general use amongst 
the Malagasy. Farther illustrations of the mode of working 
the sikidy will be introduced, after a few additional or ex¬ 
planatory remarks have been given. 
It is the universal belief amongst the Malagasy, that the 
knowledge of the art of divination was supernaturally 
communicated to their ancestors. They have a tradition 
that God gave it to Ranakandriana, of whom mention has 
already been made in the chapter on idolatry. Ranakan¬ 
driana, it is said, afterwards conveyed the art to Ramanitra- 
lalana, he to Rabibi-andrano, he to Raso-lava-volo, and he 
to Andriambavi-maitso. This was a female ; and she sub¬ 
sequently conveyed the art to Andriam-bavi-nosy, with 
whom the monopoly terminated, as he generously gave it 
to the people, saying, “ Behold, I give you the sikidy, of 
which you may inquire what offerings you should present 
in order to obtain blessings; and what expiation you should 
make so as to avert evils, when any are ill or under appre¬ 
hension of some future calamity.” 
In working the sikidy, the names of the renowned ancients 
just related are repeated by the diviners in commencing 
the process, partly as a mark of respect to the memory of 
these illustrious personages, and partly as investing their 
proceedings with a certain kind of mysterious charm. 
An anecdote is related by the people, in connection with 
the tradition that Ranakandriana imparted the knowledge 
of the sikidy. Two men, it is said, observed him one day 
