The Malagassees belong essentially to the Oceano-Melanesian race,
though in some parts they are slightly intermixed with the original
inhabitants whom they displaced, who were probably of pure Nigritian
descent, and who, with the exception of a remnant that still keep a
separate social existence at Sakalava, have died out, or have been
exterminated. 2 It is even probable that some of the fairer-skinned
coast tribes have much European blood in their veins ; and it is
almost certain that some tribes of the western coast have, from time
to time, intermarried with the Arab settlers. 3 All the Malagassee
tribes without distinction speak substantially the same language,
varied only by dialectic differences and local provincialisms which is
the most conclusive proof that they all belong to the same race. All
resemble each other in physical appearance, in mental capabilities and

1 The Madagascar lemurs are composed of thirty-three different species, and
must necessarily have been produced in the country for the same species are not
found in any other part of the world either in a living or fossil state. Some of them
measure from 3J to 4 feet, while the Microceleus Smithii does not exceed in size
4 inches from the snout to the root of the tail. See Shaw's Madagascar, p. 247.
2 It is at least possible that the yazimbas were the ancestral Oceanians of the
Malagassees that first established themselves on the island.
3 The most recent estimate of the population given by Lieut. Jedina of the
Austrian navy is as follows: Hovas 800,000; Sakalavas 1,200,000; Betsileos
1,000,000 ; and Betsimasarakas 1,000,000. "Without including the Antanos and
other savage tribes of the south the whole population of the island is supposed to
be 4,500,000 souls.
