THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. .53 



the same lime with the volcano of lolo, and the 

 Sangiiil, in the south of Magindanao, on which oc- 

 casion this island presented one of the most terrible 

 scenes recorded in history * ; the noise was heard 

 on the continent of Cochin-China. Secondly, the 

 volcano de Taal, which particularly threatens the 

 capital, from which it is distant a day's journey j 

 and, lastly, the far-seen Mayon, near the Embo- 

 cadera de San Bernardino, between Albay and Ca- 

 marines. 



Gold, iron, and copper-mines, which are very 

 rich, but neglected, show that there are other 

 mountains as well as volcanic. On the way we 

 went, we saw no other than volcanic tuff, consist- 

 ing of ashes, pumice-stones, and dross ; and, in 

 Manilla, Cavite, Taal, Balayan, &c., no other stone 

 for building but this same tuff and calcareous reef- 

 stone, procured from the sea. The granite, used 

 in Manilla for building, is brought here as ballast 

 from the coast of China. 



As you go from Cavite, southward towards 

 Taal, the land insensibly and gradually rises till 

 you reach the eminences on the other side, which 

 are rugged and steep, and from which you may 

 overlook, at your feet, the Laguna de Bongborig, 

 and the large smol^ing crater, which forms in it a 

 dreary, naked island. 



* The journals of Manilla mention the destructive earth- 

 quakes, in the year I64'5 and 1648. 



E 3 



