240 The Tinguian 



the coast is carried on by means of rafts which are poled up the river. 1 



The rainfall averages about one hundred inches, and most of this 

 precipitation takes place between May and the end of September. 

 This, coupled with the lack of forest, causes the rivers to become 

 rushing torrents during the rainy season, while during the balance of 

 the year most of them are mere rivulets. Under these conditions there 

 has been no development of navigation by the mountaineers. On oc- 

 casion they may construct a bamboo raft, but they possess no boats 

 of any description. 



The great fluctuation of the streams makes fishing an uncertain 

 occupation ; yet at least a dozen varieties of fish are known, and enough 

 are taken to add materially to the food supply. 



Deer and pig are fairly abundant, and a considerable number is 

 killed each year; wild carabao roam the mountain sides and unin- 

 habited valleys,, but they are dangerous animals, and can seldom be 

 taken with the primitive weapons of the natives. Wild chickens are 

 plentiful, and many are snared, together with smaller birds. In fact, 

 there is sufficient game and fish to support a considerable population, 

 if the people would turn seriously to their capture, so that the oft re- 

 peated statement that the mountaineers of Abra were forced to agri- 

 culture is not entirely accurate. It seems much more probable that, at 

 the time of their entrance into the interior valleys, the Tinguian were 

 already acquainted with terraced hillside fields, and that they devel- 

 oped them as needed. 



The soil is fairly fertile, the rainfall abundant during the growing 

 season, and the climate warm enough to insure good crops. The ther- 

 mometer ranges between 8o° and 85 ° during the day, but there is gen- 

 erally a land or sea breeze, so that actual discomfort from the heat is 

 unusual. The nights are somewhat cooler, but a drop of a few de- 

 grees is felt so keenly that a person may be uncomfortarble at 70 . 



Fogs and cold rains are not uncommon during the wet season, 

 while one or more typhoons can be expected each year. Earthquakes 

 are likewise of occasional occurrence, but the construction of the 

 houses is such that storms and earthquakes do much less damage than 

 along the coast. 



There is no doubt that the natural ruggedness of the country and 

 the long rainy season have had a strong influence on the people, but 

 this has been chiefly in isolating them in small groups. The high 



1 This river traffic is entirely in the hands of the Christianized Ilocano. 

 Rafts seldom proceed up the river beyond Bangued, the capital, and at low 

 water even this distance is negotiated with difficulty. 



