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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 March 2011
Place-names, it is now acknowledged, form one of the most reliable sources of information as to ancient and prehistoric times, and are among the most enduring and unaltering records of the past. In all the older countries of the world the names of the mountains and rivers, of the fields and the valleys, of the farms and villages and towns, as well as of all other geographical features, reveal the existence and successive occupation of the soil from remote epochs by many different races of mankind. And in the newer countries the names given to places tell in the plainest terms of their discoverers, and often fix the date of their becoming known to the civilized world.
page 177 note 1 The most northerly cape of Madagascar, now known as Cape Ambro or Amber, was formerly called Cape Natal, from its being discovered on Christinas Day (dies Natalia Domini).
page 178 note 1 In Dumont D'Urville's Vocabulaire Madekass-Française, alaotr is translated ‘au large.’
page 181 note 1 Ambòhimànga, ‘At the blue town;’ Ambòhidàva, ‘At the long town;’ Ambòhitràndrlana, ‘At the prince's town;’ Ambòhimanjàka, ‘At the king's town,’ etc., etc.
page 181 note 2 A hill is havòana, lit. a ‘height.’
page 182 note 1 A hill from which the Imàmo district can be surveyed is called Màhatsinjo-imàmo, i.e. ‘Able-to-look-over-Imamo.’
page 182 note 2 Also found in reduplicate form, as Ampàntsifàntsy.
page 184 note 1 Probably t ie same idea of rounded convexity comes in, somewhat indelicately to our English notions, in Bévòhoka ‘Pregnant’ (lit. ‘Large-wombed’), and Kitròka ‘Belly,’ both names of hills in Imérina.
page 184 note 2 Also simply as Antsòla ‘Bald-one.’
page 184 note 3 Ambàtomanjàka, Ambàtonandriana, Ambàtomalàza, Ambàtomàrina, Ambàtofisaka, Ambàtosàmpana.
page 185 note 1 One of the tribal divisions of the Hova Malagasy bears the name of Mandìavàto ‘Treaders-of-the-rock.’
page 186 note 1 I.e. ‘Amongst-the-Bamboos.’
page 193 note 1 Lit. ‘Many-not-lepers.’
page 193 note 2 Lit. ‘Having-a-share.’
page 193 note 3 Jilo is ‘sharp-pointed.’
page 194 note 1 These are: (1)Taràzo ‘Hereditary(?);’ (2) Ampéfy ‘At-the-embankment;’ (3) Kavànta, possibly ‘Opening,’ as this is the point where the river issues from the lake; (4) Ambàvanandrìana ‘At-the-prince's-mouth, or opening,’ a strait between broad reaches; (5) Lohòloka, meaning doubtful; (6) Anjìva, ditto; (7) Fitandàmbo ‘Wild-hog's-ford.’
page 199 note 1 See paper by the RevPickersgill, W. C., in L.M.S. Missionary Chronicle, 10. 1882, p. 323Google Scholar.
page 200 note 1 I remember this name, a rather common one, is that of one of the filthiest villages I ever stayed a night in; the whole place being a foot deep in cowdung.
page 202 note 1 Cf. Words and Places, p. 367 et seq.
page 203 note 1 Vòsitra is the ox, strictly so called; òmby being a wider word for cattle generally; hence òmbilàhy ‘a bull,’ zànkòmby ‘a calf,’ etc.
page 203 note 2 Rabiby was an early king in Imérina, who is said to have slain an enormous wild-boar; and he is also remembered as the first who discovered that beef was good to eat. This tradition is probably true so far as it recalls an early period when the ox was considered a sacred animal, and its flesh was only eaten as part of a religious service.
page 204 note 1 Rapéto is said to have been a giant, and to have performed marvellous feats of strength.
page 204 note 2 The chief town of the Sihànaka province.
page 206 note 1 See . MrShaw's, G. A. paper “The Bétsiléo Country and People,” Antànanarivo Annual, No. iii. pp. 74, 76Google Scholar.
page 206 note 2 E.g. Urambo, after Mirambo.
page 206 note 3 See Antanànarìvo Annual, No. iii. p. 27.
page 207 note 1 See Antanànarìvo Annual, No. vi. p. 25.
page 208 note 1 This paper on the place-names of the southern-central province of Mada0-gascar, the Bétsiléo, is from the pen of my friend and brother missionary, the Rev. Charles T. Price, for several years resident in that part of the island, and which he kindly allows me to add to my own paper.—J.S.
page 209 note 1 Ambàlavào is one of the most common, wearisomely so.
page 210 note 1 On this point, cf. p. 181, ante.
page 210 note 2 Dongy=sulky, morose.