Li G4 PHILIPPINE PALMS 
positive evidence of this, although it is known that the flora of 
Palawan is more closely related to that of Borneo than is that 
of the more northern islands of the Archipelago. The fact 
that at present no rattan of equal grade comes in commercial 
quantities to the Manila market from other parts of the islands, 
and that most of that sold in Manila is large and inferior, can 
scarcely, in view of our present ignorance of the subject and 
the unorganized nature of the trade, be regarded as proving 
much of anything. 
While sika is the only single variety of Philippine rattan that 
has been definitely distinguished for commercial purposes, there 
is another kind, or rather group or class—for it probably in- 
cludes a number of species—which to all appearances meets 
the essential specifications for export rattans. This is what 
might be called the high-grade mountain rattan and is found 
on the spurs and lower ridges of the forested highland portion 
of nearly all sections of the Philippines. It probably includes 
most of the smaller and less coarse varieties distinguished by 
special names in the localities where they are found. Much of 
it is cut for ordinary local uses, although in the more thickly 
inhabited parts of the Islands the best quality has to be sought 
in the less accessible regions. It forms the bulk of the material 
used in industrial schools and small factories in Bulacan Prov- 
ince for making rattan furniture. It is relatively plentiful and 
considerably cheaper than sika. It is generally said to be much 
inferior in quality to sika, but the existing data on this subject 
are by no means complete, and there is reason to believe that 
the better grades are almost, if not quite, as good for ordinary 
manufacturing purposes. 
The large amount of rattan available in the Philippines does not 
imply that a large quantity of high-grade Philippine rattan can 
at once be obtained, as no organized industry of any great extent 
exists. Most of the rattan cut is sold and used locally. The 
lack of a system of classification and of an extensively organized 
industry naturally results in great uncertainty as to prices. The 
collection of rattan is usually carried on entirely as a side line 
during the dry season, either when other local employment is 
lacking and a little ready money wanted, or when crops fail 
and a living must be had by other means. Under such condi- 
tions few men work steadily in gathering rattan and the supply 
is necessarily precarious. The holders of rattan licenses issued 
by the Bureau of Forestry are mainly the middlemen, a great 
majority of whom are Chinese shopkeepers. With them, rattan, 
