The Fárahántsana, or reef of the Ikopa, lies at a point, a few miles north-west of Ambohimanoa and immediately south of Vonizongo. We struck the river a little above the reef, where it bends round to the north; and we clambered over the rocks beyond, until we stood on a projection of the bank, opposite to the falls. The reef is two hundred yards in length; and the rocks are piled on one another in a solid mass, while hundreds more lie struggling in the waters in the bed below. The Fárahántsana is the second fall; there being a smaller fall with numerous rapids half a mile above. In the chief fall there are two passages for the water, and the height of the fall is fifty feet. Once over they boil and foam and hurry onward, taking a second leap a little below, and foaming over great boulders rush down the rocky ravine toward the sea. The scene is in many ways one of great beauty. I was glad to secure two photographs of it, the one facing the fall, the other looking down the ravine. After examining and enjoying the scene, we went to tiffin in what appeared to be a pretty looking cottage, on one of the islands, and embowered in trees. It proved to be a Malagasy house of the usual order, dirty, disorderly, with a clean mat or two vainly endeavouring to hide what was beneath. Of course while we rested the inevitable chickens would come between our feet, and carry away everything that their hungry little beaks could grasp. The next day we returned to the Capital: having made large additions to our knowledge of the details of Imerina geography, during this little journey of four days. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER VIII. THE SIHANAKA PROVINCE AND PEOPLE. Special reason for a visit to this Province—Crossing the Granite Moors—Basin of the Mananára—Anjozorobe and its People—Spend Sunday with them—“The Gate of Rock”—The Wilderness of Ankay—Capital of the Sihanaka, its Governor and People—Christian work and the Native Pastor—Tour round the District—Ambohidehilahy—Ambodinónoka—Petulance of our Bearers—The great Swamp and its Reeds—Ambohitromby—Reception at Ambohipeno—Amparafaravola and its kind Governor—A Volcanic Hill—Ambohijanahary—Ambohitsara—Enquiries about the Gun—The Alaotra Lake and the Scenery around it—Marosalázana and its bright Scholars—Memorials of the Dead—Whence came the Sihanaka People—How they became Christians—What the Gospel is doing for them—Form, Extent and Population of the District. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER VIII. THE SIHANAKA PROVINCE AND PEOPLE.