CHAPTER XI 
COMMERCE AND MODES OF COMMUNICATION 
In our still scanty knowledge of the island it is not 
easy to obtain trustworthy information as to the extent 
of the internal trade of Madagascar. This will not be 
altogether possible until the new colony enters upon a 
quiet period of normal development. In general thus 
much may be said with confidence, that the trade on the 
east coast will always be more active than that on the 
west coast. The Malayan element has a certain talent 
of its own for trade, and this trait of character is more 
remarkable among the Hova, who are more active than 
the heavy and somewhat indolent Sakalava. 
Two restraining factors have hindered the develop¬ 
ment of a brisk local trade in Madagascar. First of all 
the absence of roads. For political reasons the Hova 
government hindered the construction of convenient 
country roads, being led to do so by the far from 
groundless view that the invasion of the Europeans 
would thus be made more difficult. The districts inhab¬ 
ited by African populations remained entirely without 
roads, because Africans in general have no inclination 
for making them. 
Nowhere in Madagascar is a carriage to be met with. 
No horses or other beasts of draught are employed. 
Anyone who travels to the country either goes on foot 
or gets himself carried in a Filansana. This vehicle is 
in principle a carrying-chair firmly fastened to wooden 
poles some seven feet long; the foot-board, hanging down 
by cords, is used to put the feet upon when one does 
