12 
the vessel, was suspected of having sailed to Johanna; 
upon which Benyowsky despatched an open boat, with 
two Europeans and several natives, bearing letters to 
the king to detain the vessel. This was the first 
knowledge the Madagasses acquired of Johanna, and 
they have not forgotten to take advantage of the event. 
The towns in Vohitsonghombe are much more 
picturesque than those of any other quarter of the 
island, the houses being well built and commodious. 
The inhabitants are very rich in cattle, rice, iron, and 
steel. It is bounded on the east by the Ambohitz- 
mene, or Red Mountains, being two hundred miles 
long from east to*west, and about seventy broad from 
north to south: the land to the south of the Bay of 
Mansiatre is called by the Portuguese, Terra del 
Gada, or Land of Cattle, from the vast herds that are 
fed there. 
Matatane.—This country is famous for being the 
principal residence of the race called Zafe Ramini, and 
Zafe Casimambou, an account of which will be found 
in another part of this work : they are both descended 
from one stock; but the former have got the ascen¬ 
dancy, by means of mixing with the other natives by 
marriage, and they treat them as slaves. About a 
hundred and fifty years ago, they put them all to the 
sword, except the women and children, who were 
placed on an island formed by two rivers, which they 
cultivated. 
This province is flat, but fruitful, abounding in 
sugar-canes, honey, yams, and cattle. It is watered 
