284 
MANILLA. 
species of Andropogon), of which it is very difficult to rid the fields. 
The bolo or long-knife, a basket, and hoe, complete the list of imple¬ 
ments, and answer all the purposes of our spades, &c. 
The buffalo was used until within a few years exclusively in their 
agricultural operations, and they have lately taken to the use of the 
ox; but horses are never used. The buffalo, from the slowness of his 
motions, and his exceeding restlessness under the heat of the climate, 
is ill adapted to agricultural labour; but the natives are very partial to 
them, notwithstanding they occasion them much labour and trouble in 
bathing them during the great heat. This is absolutely necessary, or 
the animal becomes so fretful as to be unfit for use. If it were not 
for this, the buffalo would, notwithstanding his slow pace, be most 
effective in agricultural operations; he requires little food, and that of 
the coarsest kind; his strength surpasses that of the stoutest ox, and 
he is admirably adapted for the rice or paddy fields. They are very 
docile when used by the natives, and even children can manage them; 
but it is said they have a great antipathy to the whites, and all 
strangers. The usual mode of guiding them is by a small cord at¬ 
tached to the cartilage of the nose. The yoke rests on the neck before 
the shoulders, and is of simple construction. To this is attached what¬ 
ever it may be necessary to draw, either by traces, shafts, or other 
fastenings. Frequently this animal may be seen with large bundles of 
bamboo lashed to them on each side. Buffaloes are to be met with on 
the lake with no more than their noses and eyes out of the water, and 
are not visible until they are approached within a few 7 feet, when they 
cause alarm to the passengers by raising their large forms close to the 
boat. It is said that they resort to the lake to feed on a favourite grass 
that grows on its bottom in shallow water, and which they dive for. 
Their flesh is not eaten, except that of the young ones, for it is tough 
and tasteless. The milk is nutritious, and of a character between that 
of the goat and cow. 
The general appearance of the buffalo is that of a hybrid of the bull 
and rhinoceros. Its horns do not rise upwards, are very close at the 
root, bent backwards, and of a triangular form, with a flat side above. 
One of the peculiarities of the buffalo is its voice, which is quite low, 
and in the minor key, resembling that of a young colt. It is as fond 
of mire as swine, and shows the consequence of recent w r allowing, in 
being crusted over with mud. The skin is visible, being but thinly 
covered with hair; its colour is usually that of a mouse; in some 
individuals darker. 
Rice is, perhaps, of their agricultural products, the article upon 
which the inhabitants of the Philippine Islands most depend for food 
