154 
MADAGASCAR 
which the Colonial Government is turning to advantage 
for shipbuilding. 
The number of inhabitants in 1888 amounted in round 
numbers to 7600. They are almost exclusively Betsimi- 
saraka, coming from the opposite coast. They call the 
island Nossi-Ibrahim, i.e. Abraham’s Island, and are said 
to look upon themselves as descendants of a Semitic 
race. Their physiognomy, however, does not support this 
hypothesis; it is far more probable that the name of 
Nossi-Ibrahim is to be traced to Arab traders settled 
in the island in former times. The inhabitants of the 
island are fond of a seafaring life; they readily take 
service in manning the French steamers, and are consi¬ 
dered capital sailors. 
The formal occupation of Ste. Marie was carried out 
in 1821 by Sylvain Roux, then trade agent of Tamatave. 
The English soon afterwards made a protest, and an 
English corvette appeared before the island to obtain 
explanations from the French as to their intentions, 
as England could not recognize the claims of any 
European power upon the region of Madagascar. Sylvain 
Roux thereupon entered into closer relations with the 
tribes on the east coast, and an alliance with France was 
announced in 1822. However, King Radama I. appeared 
with some troops, attacked the allied tribes and imposed 
such strict regulations upon the trade with Ste. Marie 
that the colony was on the point of giving up its 
undertaking. An expedition fitted out by Heyde de 
Neuville restored the earlier state of affairs in 1827. 
By a decree of Oct. 27th, 1876, Ste. Marie was placed 
under the government of Reunion. 
The fertile shore of the island is favourable for the 
cultivation of sugar-canes and coffee, and the cultivation 
of vanilla has been introduced by the Creoles; lately an 
attempt has been made to plant caoutchouc lianas in 
the woods. 
