POLITICS AND RELIGION 
91 
have become opulent, and they often possess a remark¬ 
able business faculty. 
The highest caste embraces the nobles or Andrianes. 
Hova Slave-woman (water-carrier) in Imerina. 
A few clans are descendants of old rulino^ families to 
whom special privileges have been granted; these nobles 
are often greatly impoverished, “ As poor as an Andriane ” 
