HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
46] 
Bojer, of Mauritius,* who has given the following descrip¬ 
tion, accompanied by a plate exhibiting the plant, from 
which the annexed representation has been copied. 
This mode of trial is not restricted to any particular class 
of offences, real or imaginary, nor are there any privileged 
classes, claiming, by prescript of law or custom, exemption 
from its application.! 
The ordeal is sometimes administered in cases of private 
charge, or suspicion, and at other times by a general 
permission, obtained, on application, from the sovereign, to 
try a whole town or district. In both cases the customs 
observed in the actual administration of the ordeal so nearly 
correspond as to render a minute detail of the differences 
unnecessary. 
Supposing it to be determined that the ordeal be admin¬ 
istered to a village or clan, the sovereign issues a kabary to 
this effect, 66 I am about to effect a separation among my 
subjects; I shall renew the tangena, and not suffer the wicked 
to remain in my country. What my ancestors did, I shall 
do, and shall purify the land ; yet when ye accuse, accuse 
not from malice, or prejudice; but if ye accuse at all, let it 
be with truth.” 
* Tanghinia veneniflua ; Fig. 1 .The corollalaid open, to exhibit the insertion 
of the stamens, and the glands at their base. Fig. 2; A stamen more clearly 
shewing the gland at the base, and the appendage at the top. Fig. 3; Stamen 
and upper part of the style, shewing how the stigma is sheathed by the an¬ 
thers. Fig. 4; Pistil; all magnified. Fig. 5; Fruit. Fig. 6 ; The nut as 
it appears when the pulp, or sarcocarp, is destroyed, the reticulated fibres 
remaining attached to both extremities. Fig. 7 ; The nut, the fibres being 
removed. Fig. 8 ; The nut laid open. Fig. 9; The seed. Fig. 10; The 
embryo. Fig. 11 ; Embryo with one of its cottyledons removed. Fig. 12 ; 
Embryo with its two cottyledons a little spreading. 
f Anew case occurred at the capital in 1829, when the army obtained an 
exemption. 
