HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
465 
Test, if thou art a perfect judge—if not false—if just and 
suitable, kill this chicken !” The other having drank it, he 
exclaims, “ Hear, O Test, if thou art a suitable and right- 
ous test, let this chicken live !” Should both die, the tangena 
is pronounced bad, as it does not give to the accused a fair 
chance of being found innocent; or if both live, it is rejected, 
as not having the virtue requisite to detect and convict the 
guilty. In either case, other tangena must be provided. 
Should one die, and one live, it is of course declared suitable 
and just. (It will be readily supposed that unequal quanti¬ 
ties are given, so as to secure the effect desired, however the 
pretence may be, to give an equal portion to each.) 
The accused is then seated on the floor in the middle of 
the house,—a hole dug opposite to him, and a fish-basket 
placed in it. # He must now drink the carefully prepared 
draught, on which hinges life or death. As soon as he has 
swallowed it, the panozondoha, or “ eurser,” placing his 
hand on the crown of the head of the accused, pronounces 
the imprecation or prayer, which is sometimes uttered before 
the tangena is given. 
The following is a correct translation, furnished by the 
Rev. David Jones, of part of the imprecation frequently 
employed :— 
“ Hear, hear, hear, and hearken well, O thou, Raimana- 
mango, searcher, trier, or test; thou art a round egg,f 
made by God. Though thou hast no eyes, yet thou 
seest; though thou hast no ears, yet thou hearest; though 
thou hast no mouth, yet thou answerest: therefore, hear, 
and hearken well, O Raimanamango ! 
* Called the Tandroho,—long, cylindrical, and tapering at one end. Its 
use, in the effects of the emetic, will appear from the sequel. 
f Alluding to the size and shape of the nut from which the poison is 
prepared. 
I. 2 H 
