287 
CHAP. XXII. 
Of the Natural History of Madagascar — Oxen—Sheep 
and Goats — Hogs—Porcupines — Beasts of Prey — 
Monkey Tribes — Cats — Rousette—Of Birds — Domes¬ 
tic Fowls — Pheasants, fyc. ■ — Eagles—Wild Fowl — 
Various Birds — Insects—Breast Leaper — Snakes — 
Scorpions, &c.— Flies — Silk-worms — Fishes — Whales, 
fyc. fyc.—Sea Boar — Various. 
The natural history of Madagascar has at present 
been very imperfectly investigated. The circum¬ 
stances referred to at the close of the preceding 
chapter, have hitherto rendered it a dangerous task 
for men of science to pursue their researches on the 
island, and consequently but little is known respecting 
it. The accounts of the earlier writers are vague and 
uncertain, and contain little more than the native 
names, and a bare description of the various animals 
and plants which the island contains. The study of 
natural history was then in its infancy, and a know¬ 
ledge of it was confined to a very small number; 
nor was it probable, that men engaged in a series of 
commercial and military duties, with the care of 
providing for and defending an infant colony, should 
find time to attend to scientific pursuits. The first 
professed naturalist who visited the island, was (we 
