302 



MANILLA. 



radishes, very long squashes, &c. ; of fruits, they have melons, chicos, 

 durians, marbolas, and oranges. 



Fish are caught in weirs, by the hook, or in seines. The former are 

 constructed of bamboo stakes, in the shallow water of the lake, at the 

 point where it flows through the river Pasig. In the bay, and at the 

 mouth of the river, the fish are taken in nets, suspended by the four 

 corners from hoops attached to a crane, by which they are lowered into 

 the water. The fishing-boats are little better than rafts, and are called 

 saraboas. The wood-cut at the end of this chapter will give a better 

 idea of them. 



The usual passage-boat is termed banca, and is made of a single 

 trunk. These are very much used by the inhabitants. They have a 

 sort of awning to protect the passenger from the rays of the sun ; and 

 being light are easily rowed about, although they are exceedingly un- 

 comfortable to sit in, from the lowness of the seats, and liable to over- 

 set, if the weight is not placed near the bottom. The 

 section and drawing will give a correct idea of them ; the 

 out-rigger has in all probability been dispensed with, 

 owing to the impediment it offered to the navigation of 

 their canals ; these canals offer great facilities for the 

 transportation of burdens ; the banks of almost all of them 

 sf.ci'ion. are f acec [ with granite. Where the streets cross them, 

 there are substantial stone bridges, which are generally of no more than 

 one arch, so as not to impede the navigation. The barges used for the 

 transportation of produce resemble our canal-boats, and have sliding 

 roofs to protect them from the rain. 



MANILLA BANCA. 



Water, for the supply of vessels, is brought off in large earthen jars. 

 It is obtained from the river, and if care is not taken, the water will be 

 impure; it ought to be filled beyond the city. Our supply was obtained 

 five or six miles up the river, by a lighter, in which were placed a 

 number of water-casks. It proved excellent. 



The trade of Manilla extends to all parts of the world. A compara- 

 tive statement of the exports of 1840 and 1841, and the regulations of 

 the trade, will be found in Appendix XII. 



