340 VISITS TO MADAGASCAR. CHAP. XII. presented me with a sheep and some poultry, &c., in the name and by the order of the proprietor of the place, now residing at Tananarivo, and whom he designated as the friend of the queen. August 25th. — I had passed a restless night, partly from a slight fever and partly from a multitude of thoughts. The sheep which had been presented on the previous day was now killed; and as my eyes were exceedingly painful, and the weather unfavourable, we did not proceed until after breakfast. My bearer was still suffering, but hoped by the help of his companions to follow us to the next resting-place. Before setting out, a messenger arrived from one of the officers of the government to say that I was to proceed to a village which was named, at the foot of the hill on which the capital stands, when an officer would be sent to conduct me to the house appointed for my residence. About ten o’clock we set out, traversing the labyrinth of paths between the houses of the village; and, passing through an opening in the walls, crossed over three or four deep ditches, and then continued our way along smooth, well-beaten paths, and over an undulating plain, covered with long thick grass. The officer who had arrived accompanied me in his palanquin. The morning was cold, with drizzling rain when we started; but the weather improved as we advanced. The aspect of the country was sterile. No trees or bushes were visible except a few around the houses; but large portions of the land were under cultivation. The absence of trees in Imerina makes fuel very scarce, and I saw several persons employed in cut ting long dry grass, and tying it up in bundles: these are daily sold in the markets of the capital for fuel. I saw only a few cattle, but occasionally noticed small flocks of sheep of a red dish brown colour, and covered with hair. We passed during our journey to-day several tombs of the Hovas. They consist generally of a square raised platform,