136 
VISITS TO MADAGASCAR. 
CHAP. V. 
were equally astonished and delighted. Many ran to fetch 
their relatives and friends to come and see the likenesses taken 
by the sun; and long and earnest were the comments and 
questionings about how it could be done. One man said it 
was zanahary ,— a word they sometimes use for God, but by 
which they probably meant wonderful or supernatural. 
After this, few days passed in which persons did not come, 
often in companies, from the neighbourhood, to see the like¬ 
nesses taken or to ask for their own; and, so far as my 
chemicals would allow, I was willing to gratify them, as it 
gave them pleasure and afforded me opportunities for inter¬ 
course with many to whom I might not otherwise so easily 
have gained access. By this means I had long and interest¬ 
ing conversations with the chiefs residing in the place, as 
well as with strangers from a distance, including a number 
belonging to the capital. In this manner, also, I obtained 
correct likenesses of a considerable number of the people of 
all classes, from the aide-de-camp of the governor to the 
slave who came for water to the fountain in the yard. I met 
with difficulties in the process similar to those I had ex¬ 
perienced in Mauritius, arising from the state of the atmo¬ 
sphere and the quality of the light, so different to that in 
England; and also, I believe, from the deterioration or 
original impurity of some of my chemicals. When the like¬ 
nesses were taken, frames were in great demand; and some 
brought large pieces of glass to be cut to the proper dimen¬ 
sions ; others proposed rubbing the quicksilver from the 
back of looking-glasses; but most were satisfied with having 
the likeness mounted on a sheet of white paper. 
Besides the collodion portraits, I obtained a number of 
interesting views of natural objects and scenery with wax 
paper, most of which I succeeded in bringing home as illus¬ 
trations of the rich and novel forms of vegetation, as well as 
the general beauty of the country. One or two views of 
