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The Bananas (Musa Paradisiaca) grow in many 
of the provinces, but chiefly in Manamboule and 
Icondre. There are several species of them, some as 
long and as thick as a man’s arm, called Ontzi; others 
about half that size; others no larger than the thumb : 
those called Acondres, are still less, of a green colour, 
growing a hundred in a bunch. These constitute one 
of the principal articles of food of the inhabitants: 
they are very nourishing, and, when ripe, will roast like 
apples: they are sometimes gathered in a green state, 
and hung up to ripen. In the province of Eringdrane, 
the bark of the banana is beaten and spun into clothing. 
The Ananas (Pignas) grow in great plenty. The 
fruit resembles the pine-apple, and is called the king 
of fruits. Those of St. Mary’s island are superior to 
those of the bay of Antongil, and the neighbourhood 
of Fort Dauphin. 
The water-melons are of two kinds, one with black, 
the other with red seeds, and both afford great relief 
during the hot season* 
The musk melons and pumpkins have been im¬ 
ported thither from France. The gourds are of two 
kinds, long and round; the long are dressed in the 
green state, and eaten with milk : when dried and 
scooped they are used as bottles. 
The sugar-canes (Saccharum Officinarum ) grow 
in abundance, principally in the provinces of Ma- 
tatane, Manamboule, Antavare, Galemboule, and 
St. Mary’s island. There are fourteen varieties of 
it: they are much larger, finer, and produce more 
