Volltext Seite (XML)
433 CHAP. XVI. Breakfast at Amboilefo. — Intercourse with Friends from the Capital. — Hos pitality at Prince Ramonja’s Village.—New Plants collected. — Lodging in the Forest of Alamazaotra Noise of the Monkeys or Lemurs. — Lyco podiums and other Plants. — Heavy Rains. — Extreme Difficulty of Travel ling in the Forest. — Meeting with French Priests and Merchants.—Accept able Collection of Plants. — New Species of Platycerum or Stag’s-horn Fern. — Arrival at Tamatave. — Visit to the Locality of the Ouvirandra Fenestralis. — Crocodiles. —- Kindness experienced at Tamatave. —Arrival of the “ Castro.” — Presents from the Queen. — Departure from Madagascar. — Hospitality at Mauritius. — Storm on the Ocean. — Rescue of two ship wrecked Mariners. — Remarkable Meeting with a Native of the Sandwich Islands. — Safe Arrival in England- But to return to the narrative of my journey. Several friends who had heen my constant companions or daily visitors at Antananarivo, and who were anxious to defer our final separation as long as possible, had travelled by my side during the first day’s journey, and passed the night with me under the same roof. While the officers were adjusting and sending off the packages the next morning, we had much serious and affectionate conversation; and after I had given some of them a small memento of my visit, we bade each other farewell. They retraced their steps to the capital, and I resumed my journey to the coast. Amongst the presents I had received at the capital were a number of live animals from the Sakalave country, and other parts. Some of these had been pets with their former owners : among them a little tenrec had heen given me by the princess. It had generally slept all day in a box, but frequently got out during the night, seeming greatly to enjoy its nocturnal ram bles. It fed on insects and rice, and was quite tame. Of these F F