ROUND ANTSIHÀNAKA 173
Object of the Journey—My Companions—The Antsihànaka
Province—Origin of the People—Anjozòrobé—“Travellers’
Bungalow”—A Sunday there—“Our Black Chaplain”—The
“Stone Gateway”—Ankay Plain—Ants and Serpents—Hair-dressing
and Ornaments—_Tòaka_ Drinking—Rice Culture—Fragrant
Grasses—The Glory of the Grass—Their Height—Capital of the
Province—We interview the Governor—Flowers of Oratory—The
Market—Fruits and Fertility—A Circuit of the Province—Burial
Memorials—Herds of Oxen—Horns as Symbols—Malagasy Use of
Oxen—A Sihànaka House—Mats and Mat-making—Water-fowl—Their
Immense Numbers—Teal and Ducks—The Fen Country—Physical
Features of Antsihànaka—The Great Plain—Ampàrafàravòla
—Hymn-singing—Sihànaka Bearers—“Wild-Hog’s Spear” Grass—Dinner
with the Lieutenant-Governor—“How is the Gun?”—Volcanic
Action—Awkward Bridges—Fighting an Ox—Occupations of the
People—Cattle-tending—Rice Culture—Fishing—Buds