It may be interesting to notice at this point the numerous words used by the Malagasy to indicate the different times of the day, from morning to evening. Clocks and watches are comparatively a recent introduction into Madagascar, nor do the people ever seem to have contrived any kind of sun-dial, although, as will be seen, they did use something else as a kind of substitute for such a time-keeper. It should be remembered that the hours given (counting in European fashion) as equivalents for these native divisions of the night and the day are only approximations, and must be taken as the _mean_ of the year, or, in other words, at about the time of equal day and night, towards the end of March or of September. They are as follows:— {_Mamaton’ alina_, Centre of night } { or or } About 12.0 midnight {_Misasaka alina_, Halving of night } _Maenno sahona_, Frog croaking, About 2.0 A.M. _Maneno akaho_, Cock-crowing, ” 3.0 ” _Maraina alina koa_, Morning also night, ” 4.0 ” _Maneno goaika_, Crow croaking, ” 5.0 ” {_Manga vodilanitra_, Bright horizon } {_Mangoan’ atsinanana_, Reddish east } ” 5.15 ” {_Mangiran-dratsy_, Glimmer of day } _Ahitan-tsoratr’ omby_, Colours of cattle can be seen, ” 5.30 ” _Mazava ratsy_, Dusk, ” ” ” _Mifoha lo-maozoto_, Diligent people awake, ” ” ” _Maraina koa_, Early morning, ” ” ” {_Vaky masoandro_, Sunrise } {_Vaky andro_, Daybreak } ” 6.0 ” {_Piakandro_, ” } _Antoandro be nanahary_, Broad daylight } ” ” ” _Efa bana ny andro_, ” ” } ” ” ” _Mihintsana ando_, Dew-falls, ” 6.15 ” _Mivoaka omby_, Cattle go out (to pasture), ” ” ” _Maim-bohon-dravina_, Leaves are dry (from dew), ” 6.30 ” _Afa-dranom-panala_, Hoar-frost disappears }* ” 6.45 ” _Manara vava nya ndro_, The day chills the mouth } ” ” ” _Misandratra andro_, Advance of the day, ” 8.0 ” _Mitatao haratra_, Over (at a right angle with) the purlin, ” 9.0 ” _Mitatao vovonana_, Over the ridge of the roof, ” 12.0 noon _Mandray tokonana ny Day taking hold of the andro_, threshold, ” 12.30 P.M. {_Mitsidika andro_, Peeping-in of the day } {_Latsaka iray dia ny } { andro_, Day less one step (= hour?) } ” 1.0 P.M. {_Solafak’ andro_, Slipping of the day } ” 1.30 ”