MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS 597 



that the tree will bear in the fourth year and that several 

 bushels of nuts (in the shell) are produced by a good- 

 sized tree. 



Soap barks. Though not exported, there is a good 

 steady local trade in Gogo (Entada scandens). This 

 large liane which belongs to the bean family, produces 

 gigantic pods, sometimes three or four feet in length. 

 The bark contains considerable quantities of saponin 

 and even the wood can be used, pounded into a coarse 

 pulp, as a soap-making material. The natives, however, 

 do not employ this bark for making soap but for pre- 

 paring a saponaceous liquid for washing the hair. It 

 is quite probable that soap made from this bark, being 

 practically free from injurious alkalies, could be used 

 in cleaning delicate fabrics upon which ordinary soap 

 would be more or less deleterious. 



The bark of Albizzia saponaria, known as Sogo-kasai, 

 Pipi, etc., contains enough saponin to make it a possibly 

 exportable product. 



St. Ignatius' Beans. This product is confined to a 

 certain region of the Philippines including the islands 

 of Samar and Leyte and the northern peninsula of 

 Mindanao. Practically all the seeds of this vine, 

 however, are exported from Catbalogan, Samar. The 

 species Strychnos Ignatii is said to be even more power- 

 ful than its very close relative, S. Nux-vomica and to 

 contain even larger amounts of brucin. It is used to 

 a considerable extent locally, the seeds selling for about 

 one centavo (one farthing) each. It is known to possess 

 very active tonic powers and is believed by the natives 

 to be an active aphrodisiac. For a number of years a 

 small quantity of these seeds has found its way into 

 European markets. The vine appears to be impatient 

 of cultivation or even of any attempt to increase its 

 yield. 



Marine Products. 



Pearl Fisheries. Though not generally known outside 

 of the Philippines there is in the Sulu Archipelago a 

 really important pearling industry. There are over 50 

 pearling boats now operating and diving apparatus is 



