140 
MADAGASCAR 
these boats are always provided with outriggers, and 
even sails are applied to the coasting vessels. If the 
oscillations are too great they are moderated by pla¬ 
cing a man on the extremity of the frame of the out-- 
rigger, from which he often gets thrown off. The 
Sakalava of the coast venture out into the open sea in 
these vessels. They are daring seamen, and used formerly 
to fit out regular fleets for carrying on piracy. The 
Madagascar boat with outriggers. 
(From the Revue des Sciences.) 
Betsimisaraka of the east coast have also a predilection 
for the sea, and are glad to be engaged in the service 
of the European steamers and sailing vessels. 
A postal and telegraph service had been established 
some ten years before the annexation of the island by 
the French. The larger places, such as Tamatave, An¬ 
tananarivo; Majunga, Nossi-Be, and Fianarantsoa had 
special post-offices and received or sent off news by 
