Mode of rating the Poll- Tax. 2,39 



married, or when tliey have attained the age of 25. Those ex- 

 empted from the poll-tax are all Spaniards and their half-caste 

 children, all foreign residents except the Chinese, as also all 

 natives above 60, and a few native families, whose ancestors 

 had performed certain services for the Spaniards at the 

 period of the conquest ; and, lastly, all native authorities 

 during their tenure of oflSce (usually six years).* 



The morning after our excursion to the Enchanted Lake, 

 a hunt of water-fowl was organized among the swamps sur- 

 rounding Calamba, wliich furnished us with plenty of sport, 

 as well as important scientific results, in which it would 

 have been yet more productive, had it not been suddenly 

 brought to a close by the acute illness of one of tho 

 canoe-men. As some cases of cholera had occurred during 

 the few days immediately preceding, it seemed to be only a 

 wise precaution to exercise some little prudence on the pre- 

 sent occasion. Strange to say, however, the man attacked, 

 despite his sickness, rowed resolutely till the party reached 

 Los Banos, during all which period he showed the most lively 

 interest in the hunt, constantly calling our attention to birds 

 which his keen eye detected at a distance, or which were 

 moving softly over the water without being observed. 



Meanwhile one of the zoologists was busy at the parsonage, 

 making preparations of the most interesting specimens pro- 



* Another description of tax is the compulsory labour exacted from the natives, 

 which is expended in the construction of roads and bridges, transmission of mail 

 matter, transport of military baggage, luggage of travellers, &c. &c. 



Z 2 



