98 PEOPLES OF THE PHILIPPINES 
ereater than the 13,400 barrios recognized, and the 
average population of each considerably less than the 
figures given would indicate. 
General Character of Industries. The Chris- 
tian Filipino is often charged with indolence, but those 
who first knew him frequently commended his industry. 
It is likely that the alteration in economic conditions, 
and a more modern standard of judgment, is respon- 
sible for the apparent change. The pagan peoples have 
never been accused of being lazy about their own occu- 
pations, and those of northern Luzon are universally 
described as extremely hard working, irrespective Of 
sex or age. Their method of agriculture is feasible 
only to consistently industrious people. 
The Filipino is also quick to learn, like all East 
Indians, and adept with his hands; but it must be 
admitted that his manufactures lack pronounced artistic 
quality. He often finishes his work nicely; a clean job 
evidently appeals to him; yet he rarely goes farther or 
attempts to make his product positively beautiful. 
It is not that he leaves it ugly; but among other peoples 
of equal mechanical ability, skill flowers more often into 
specific aesthetic developments. 
Bamboo and rattan are the materials most used in 
manufactures. Bamboo serves for receptacles, cooking 
vessels, spear shafts and heads, fire-making apparatus, 
musical instruments, boat rigging, and a variety of 
other objects, besides being used to an enormous extent 
in house construction. Rattan makes lashings and 
wrappings. of all sorts, braided ornaments and bow- 
strings, the material of baskets, and generally is a 
substitute for cordage. Wood the Filipino employs con- 
siderably less, no doubt because it is harder to work than 
these two abundant and readily serviceable plants; but 
it enters into buildings and boats, weapon handles, 

