HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
489 
the wounded devotee. All the remedies prescribed by 
enchantment and superstition were applied, but though the 
wound was healed, the leg remained nearly useless for life. 
Associated with the idea of the mpamosavy is that of the 
ody mahery—the powerful charm ;* and to be found guilty 
of making it, or even having it in possession, is certain 
death; and death by a terrible mode of punishment, that of 
being bound hands and feet, hurled down the tremendous 
precipice of a steep rock, and there left to be devoured by 
dogs. Of what this fatal ody is composed, no one knows, 
or is willing to tell, as no one would subject himself to the 
supposition of knowing any thing about this black art. 
Probably, like many other potent spells in the country, it 
consists of nothing more than a few feathers, or a little 
earth and some bits of straw, sticks, or refuse of any kind; 
yet this is solemnly believed to be capable of effecting 
wonders of a most extensive and alarming character. A 
little of it buried in the ground, near a person’s residence, 
would inevitably prove his ruin, destroy his property, and 
bewitch, perhaps, his whole family. To discover where it 
may be concealed, should there be suspicions of any, 
the idol Ramahavaly is sent for; and on the fees being paid 
to his keepers as a donation to the idol, the ody will be- 
found. This idol is sometimes brought even within the 
court-yard of the monarch’s palace for this purpose, under 
suspicion that some evil persons, worse than incendiaries, 
have entertained the horrible design of destroying the 
sovereign and the empire by such detestable means. It is 
commonly the case that some kind of refuse is found, or 
said to be found, and this is, of course, regarded as a 
detection of the spell, and proclaims the wonderful abilities 
of Ramahavaly, or the secret finder. 
* Sometimes called Fankatovana. 
