MADAGAS'CAR, an island situated to the s.e. of the African continent, and extending over au area larger than the British isles. It is in lat. 11° 57' to 25° 38' s., and long. about 43° to 51°; length, 1030 in., greatest breadth, 350 m.; area estimated at 225,000 sq. miles. Although well known to Europeans since the beginning of the 16th c., 31ad agascar has even now been imperfectly explored. The coasts were surveyed by capt. Owen between 1823 and 1825, and the outline of the island correctly laid down in our maps; but there has hitherto been a great lack of knowledge as to the geography of the interior. Most of the information we possessed was owing to a distinguished French explorer, M. Alfred Grandidier, who, in 1869 and 1870, crossed the island in several direc tions. Now, however, Dr. Mullens and Mr. Pillans have brought home some beautiful specimens of cartography, from which a new map of 31adagascar has been prepared.
31. Grandidier states that 31adagascar comprises two distinct parts—the northern, which is mountainous, and the south-western, which is comparatively flat. Five great mountain chains traverse the island, all in a n.n.e. and s.s.w. direction. The three chains farthest to the w. are prolonged southward, and belong to the secondary formation. They have a very sterile soil. The two eastern chains are prolonged northwards, and form a great mountain tract of granitic rocks. They form a rugged region on the eastern slope of the island. From the observations of Dr. Mullens, it is now dis covered that the central provinces of Madagascar have been the scene of volcanic phenomena on an immense scale. The Ankarat tnountains, forming au extinct volcanic center, cover an area of 600 sq. miles. In a region 25 m. from this range, Dr. Milieus and his companion visited and mapped more than 40 craters. Fifty m. to the s. are three groups of volcanoes. This volcanic belt is continued towards the n., and is evidently connected with that volcanic system of which Comoro is now the active vent. 31adagasear has been celebrated for its luxuriant vegetation; but it appears that it is sterile aud desolate in the central and south-western parts. In the n. and e. the
climate is moist. Magnificent forests clothe the hills. Elsewhere this belt of vegetation forms a narrow skirt along the shore.
The climate is temperate and healthy in the highlands of the interior, but low fever renders the hot sea-coast undesirable as a residence for Europeans. The flora and fauna of Madagascar, although resembling those of Africa, and more remotely of India, are so peculiar as to form a region apart. They comprise many Species, and eveu many genera nowhere else to be found. The number and variety of the lentUrida3 is a prominent characteristic.
There has been much discussion about the branch of the human family to which the Malagash belong. 31. Grandidier believes that three distinct races are to be recognized in the island—namely, the original inhabitants, allied to the negroes; the free inhabit ants on the w. coast, resembling the white races; and a third race belonging to the Malay stock. Dr. Mullens believes that the Malagash or Malagasy are a single race of 31alay origin. and divides them into three tribes—the Betsimasarakas, the Sakalavas, and the Howls, He estimates the total pop. at 2,500,000. The Malagash language, spoken all over the island, contains such a number of Malay words that it has been classed with the languages spoken in the 31alay peninsula.
The exports of Madagascar are horned cattle, and a small quantity of rice, shipped principally to 31auritius and Bourbon. The island is rich in iron, but the present ineans of working it are very deficient. At present, the only mode of traveling is in palanquins, borne on the shoulders of men; and the paths by which this simple method of journey ing is performed are often so had as to cause much delay. 3Iadagasear is now divided politically into two nearly equal parts: lst, that n. or 22° s and e. of 46° e. long., which is dependent on the HoVas; and 2d, the remainder of the island. The first part Is by far the richest and MOO fertile. and is peopled by seven-eighths of the whole pop ulation. The French retain possession of the island of Ste. Marie, on the n.e., and Nossi Be on the n.w. coasts. The capital of Madagascar is Tananarivo, with a pop. of 80,000.