516 
APPENDIX. 
the principal part of the language; besides these, are native 
fables, legends, songs, enigmas, and the studied forms of 
address used on all solemn and public occasions, as, in the 
public assemblies, marriages, ordeals, funerals, &c. 
The fables, which are numerous, are not remarkable for any 
striking or valuable qualities. Many of them are pleasing 
and amusing; far more, feeble and puerile; some, of a decidedly 
vicious tendency; and a few, adapted to instil ideas of loyalty, 
filial duty, honesty, and industry. 
The legends are copious, but of little value. They contain 
no system; they imply no system of ethics, theology, or phi¬ 
losophy. The absence of all reference to system in the legends, 
is ample proof of its absence generally from the minds of the 
people. To this circumstance, sufficient reference has been 
already made in the history. 
The proverbial sayings present the fullest exhibition of the 
grade of mind among the people, both intellectually and morally, 
and especially if the “ Hainteny” be added to the “ Ohabolana.” 
The latter are more properly proverbs, or short sententious 
sayings; and the former, more lengthened popular repartees, 
jocose quiddities, and often amorous trifles, embracing puns, 
paronomasia, unmeaning words for the sake of sound, and 
ditties capable of almost any solution the hearer pleases. 
As an illustration of the poetry of their bards, it would not 
be easy to find a better or more pleasing specimen than that 
contained in the “ Song concerning the Dead,” by Razafilahy, 
given at page 276 of this volume. Of fables, sufficient ex¬ 
amples have already been given. 
A few proverbs are now added, and an illustration or two of 
the Hainteny. 
“ Oiiabolana”—Proverbs. 
1. “ Rano madio iray lovia, rano maloto eransotro, try maha- 
leo ny fandoto.”—Of clean water one dish, of polluted 
water one spoonful; the latter would spoil the former. 
That is, One foul blot may ruin a fair character. 
2. “ Mahita loza ry kalamomba, mizambo-balala ho any ny 
zanak’ olona.”—Ah ! stern fate of the childless, she catches 
the locust, not for her own, but for the child of another. 
Used of a person whose exertions turn to another’s ad¬ 
vantage, but not to his own. 
3. “ Aza manao rary harato railahy mifanakeiky koa tsy 
mifandray.”—Don’t make the open plait, which is near, 
but never unites. 
That is, Don’t let your friendship be distant, but close 
and cordial. 
