POPULATION 
87 
death of the sovereign. When Radama I. died, the 
wearing of bright ornaments or conspicuous clothes was 
forbidden, greetings and merry-making were interdicted, 
spirituous drinks were not to be indulged in. The sub¬ 
jects of the late king had to shave their heads; the 
wearing of silk clothes, the preparation of clay vessels, 
working in the precious metals, the manufacture of sugar 
Burial-place of the Betsimisaraka. 
(From the Revue Generale des Sciences.) 
and plaiting of straw were suspended for a considerable 
time. 
Among the Betsileo there are grave-vaults above 
ground as well as those underground. These last are 
often carried down to a remarkable depth and can only 
be reached by a steep descent. The vaults above ground 
have again the cubical shape and are built up of small 
flat stones. In many places the grave is surrounded by 
