Being aware of great defects in our geographical knowledge of the interior of Madagascar, we prepared ourselves before leaving England to gather new information. In all our journeys we took observations: and we have prepared a new Map of the Country which we traversed. Among the special results of this geographical exploration, we may note, the discovery of a wide-spread volcanic region, including a hundred extinct craters; the delineation of Lake Itasy; the survey of the Sihánaka Province, with its fine Lake Aláotra; the survey of the Betsileo Province and of the District of Betáfo; and that of the route to Mojangá. We have also gathered important information relative to the extent of the population. These questions were in many respects new to ourselves; we learned much respecting them: and that information we now lay before the many friends of the Mission. Though deriving great help from the observations and views of my colleague, I alone am responsible for the statements contained in this little volume. I will only add that in the pronunciation of the many Malagasy names which it contains, if the reader will kindly have regard to the accented syllables and pronounce the first three vowels _a_, _e_ and _i_ as the Italians do, and the vowel _o_ as they pronounce their _u_, he will not go far wrong. J. M. CANONBURY, _March 29, 1875_. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. WHY AND HOW WE WENT TO MADAGASCAR. Religious Revolution in Madagascar—The Idols PAGES 1-24 burned—Increased Help sent from England to the Mission—A Deputation appointed to visit the Island—Our Journey thither—Marseilles—Naples—Fellow-passengers—The Suez Canal—Aden—The Indian Ocean—Mauritius—The Bullockers—Passage across—Tamatave; the Town, Port, and Market—English and Native Friends—Sunday—The Native Churches and their Worship—Help they need—Importation of Rum into Madagascar and its evils—The Trade of Madagascar CHAPTER II. FIRST EXPERIENCES OF MADAGASCAR AND ITS PEOPLE.