60 COMPENDIUM OF GEOGRAPHY AND TRAVEL 



become completely wild : in many parts they are half- 

 wild, being only caught and used as occasion demands. 

 Oxen are bred numerously, but sheep are rarely seen. 



The principal ports in the Philippines are Manila and 

 its secondary harbour of Cavite ; Iloilo in Panay ; Zebu ; 

 Aparri in the extreme north of Luzon, the port of the 

 tobacco district ; Ilocos, also in North Luzon ; and Capiz 

 in Panay. About two-thirds of the shipping trade is 

 British. In 1890 the number of British vessels which 

 entered the port of Manila was 153. The import trade 

 will, however, doubtless be checked by the establishment 

 of a new Customs tariff, which has raised the duties 

 considerably. This was promulgated in April, 1891, and 

 is apparently protective in its aim, for by its provisions 

 all Spanish manufactures arriving in Spanish vessels are 

 admitted free of duty. The total value of imports and 

 exports, according to the last published official report 

 (1888) is as follows: Imports, £4,000,000; Exports, 

 £5,000,000. After the British the German trade comes 

 next in importance. 



A project for the establishment of a general network 

 of railways throughout the most populous parts of Luzon 

 and elsewhere has been under consideration for some 

 years, but up to the present time the only line con- 

 structed is the Manila-Dagupan, which is about 120 

 miles in length. This was opened for traffic in Novem- 

 ber, 1892. The telegraph is confined to Luzon, and the 

 service has been established in 59 towns and villages. 

 It extends to both extremities of the island, and has been 

 found of the greatest benefit in giving warning of the 

 approach of typhoons. The postal service is largely carried 

 on by the interinsular steamers, for in the less civilised 

 districts the want of bridges and the execrable condition 

 of the I'oads greatly impede inland communication. 



