149 



twenty inches, and of about the same depth. The boatmen 

 use paddles or oars, in the latter case using their toes for an oar- 

 lock, or run up a sail when the wind is favorable. They apparent- 

 ly have no knowledge of tacking across or against the wind. 

 Outriggers make the boat ride with extreme steadiness, and 

 prevent capsizing absolutely. In fact, the bamboo outrigger, 

 with its hollow internodes, might be regarded as the forerunner 

 of the watertight compartment of the modern ocean liner. Such 

 a rigging certainly makes the banca safe, and must be very 

 valuable in stormy weather, but in a moderate wind it is uncom- 

 fortable. The banca refuses completely to rise with the waves. 



Fig. 10. A newly-formed ravine on Taal volcano, Philippine Islands, showing 

 the dense growth of cogon grass. 



but ploughs straight through them. Every little wave comes 

 over the bow or gunwales and drenches the occupants. On our 

 return trip, against a stiff breeze, one boatmen was constantly 

 employed bailin'g, and the passengers were completely soaked. 

 As we approached the volcano, the north shore of the island 

 was seen to be bordered by numerous islets of various sizes, from 

 mere rocks to others of several acres. The distance of these 

 from the volcano certainly sheltered their vegetation somewhat 

 during the recent eruption. Also the deposit of ash was less, 

 and the distance to the mainland is much shorter. All of these 



