158 Menage Expedition to the Philippines 



the bones, so that we have both skin and complete skeleton. , 



The day we left Culion a snake 19- feet and 11^ inches in 

 length was brought in. We had just started to skin it when the 

 boat came in, so we were obliged to take it on board and skin it 

 there. 



We considered ourselves very fortunate to obtain a large 

 snake in Palawan and never expected to get another of the same 

 size. We were therefore very much pleased to obtain two more 

 skins and a complete skeleton for the Academy. 



During almost all the time in Culion we were very much handi- 

 capped by the fact that Mr. Worcester was troubled with his eyes. 

 What the trouble was we do not know, nor could the doctor in 

 Manila inform us. This trouble prevented him from doing any 

 outdoor work, with the exception of one day on our arrival, and 

 the two days when we were working on the snake, when he 

 went out, against his better judgment. I am pleased to say that 

 he is now much improved and expects to be well in a few days- 



We spent a week together in Manila, during which time we 

 were very busy indeed. We had occasion to call on the Governor 

 General, and were very courteously received. The readiness with 

 which the several requests we had occasion to make were granted 

 was very gratifying. 



We were unable to finish all of our business in the week be- 

 fore the semi-monthly steamer left for Calapan, so Mr. Worcester 

 stayed to attend to it. He will go to Batangas by steamer and then 

 cross to Calapan by small boat, reaching here five or six days 

 later than the steamer, 



Sji >i< ^ 5Ji SjC ^ JJC 



With regards to all, we remain 



Very truly yours, 



F. S. Bourns. 



v;i. • 



Manjuyot, Negros, May 21, 1892. 

 You may perhaps remember this as the place where the people 

 catch pearly Nautili in deep-sea traps. It is, so far as I know, 

 the only place where they are trapped, and when I was here be- 

 fore I was informed that May was the only month in which they 

 could be obtained to good advantage. Since then we had shaped 



