TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE Italic text is denoted by _underscores_. Footnote anchors are denoted by [number], and the footnotes have been placed at the end of each chapter. The tables in this book are best viewed using a monospace font. A superscript is denoted by ^x or ^{xx}, for example madagas^{sis}. Some minor changes to the text are noted at the end of the book. [Illustration: OLD VILLAGE GATEWAY WITH CIRCULAR STONE The stone is levered into position closing the opening. A deep fosse or ditch surrounding the village completes its fortification. The man in front is carrying two packages secured to a pole in the usual manner of the country] A NATURALIST IN MADAGASCAR _A Record of Observation Experiences and Impressions made during a period of over Fifty Years’ Intimate Association with the Natives and Study of the Animal & Vegetable Life of the Island_ BY JAMES SIBREE, F.R.G.S. _Membre de l’Academie Malgache_ AUTHOR OF “THE GREAT AFRICAN ISLAND,” “MADAGASCAR ORNITHOLOGY,” &c., &c., &c. WITH 52 ILLUSTRATIONS & 3 MAPS PHILADELPHIA J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY LONDON: SEELEY, SERVICE & CO. LTD. 1915 Dedicated WITH MUCH AFFECTION TO MY DEAR WIFE MY CONSTANT COMPANION IN MADAGASCAR AND FAITHFUL HELPER IN ALL MY WORK FOR FORTY-FOUR YEARS PREFACE The title of this book may perhaps be considered by some as too ambitious, and may provoke comparison with others somewhat similar in name, but with whose distinguished authors I have no claim at all to compete. I have no tales to tell of hair-breadth escapes from savage beasts, no shooting of “big game,” no stalking of elephant or rhinoceros, of “hippo” or giraffe. We have indeed no big game in Madagascar. The most dangerous sport in its woods is hunting the wild boar; the largest carnivore to be met with is the fierce little _fòsa_, and the crocodile is the most dangerous reptile.