﻿386 SMITH. 



for a time it kept the local Constabulary force doing guard over the several 

 camps. This is the only incident of the kind which has ever been 

 brought to my attention in the Philippines and I consider it altogether 

 exceptional. 



HYDROLOGY. 



The area under consideration is well drained by two fair-sized streams, 

 the Danao and the Cot-Cot Eivers, which become raging torrents in rainy 

 weather, but quickly subside, and in the dry season are so shallow that 

 not even the smallest bancas can navigate them. The generally deforested 

 condition of the region is responsible for this condition. 



TOPOGRAPH Y AXD PHYSIOGRAPHY. 



The general appearance of this country is mountainous although in 

 reality the highest point, apart from the Cordillera Central is not over 

 685 meters (2,245 feet). The reason for the exaggerated topography is 

 the pronounced relief which is due to two main causes, first, the folded 

 and warped condition of the rocks, and. second, the absence of forest, 

 which gives the meteoric waters a free field to do their work of dissection. 

 The absence of forest is also a factor in making visible at a glance even 

 the minutest topographic features, whereas in countries with a heavy 

 forest mantle much of the relief would not be seen. 



The topographic features of this region are as follows-: 1. The quite 

 complete dissection of the country. 2. The long, limestone-capped ridges 

 of Mounts Licos, Manghilao and Lantauan. 3. The rather unconven- 

 tional orientation of the drainage. 4. The change of topography with' 

 change of formation. 



In a previous paper, 4 I have spoken of the intermediate uplands of 

 this island. They comprise all of the elevated tract between the coastal 

 plain, with the low coast hills, and the Cordillera. They are largely 

 underlaid by limestone. Corn is the principal product. The people, 

 while apparently very poor, nevertheless are satisfied and have all they 

 need. They form the most peaceable portion, by far, of the native 

 population. 



In the terms of the modern science of physiography this region is in 

 maturitj-, namely, it is in such a condition that a little less denudation 

 or a little more would decrease the relief and make all the outlines less 

 pronounced. Further denudation, unaccompanied by elevation or warp- 

 ing, would cause the region to pass into "old age." 



The most striking topographic features are the limestone-capped ridges 

 of Licos, Lantauan, and Manghilao. The limestone being more resistant 

 than the underlying shales and soft sandstone, has protected certain areas 

 between the master streams and hence the highest points are of the 



i Loc. cit.. 1043. 



