120 



PHYSICAL HISTORY OF MAN. 



streets, bearing the bird under the arm ; while the crowing, is inces- 

 sant at all hours of the day and night. The buffalo too, contributed 

 to the novelty of this phase of civilization ; an animal v/hich, in stout- 

 ness of frame, the naked skin of the colour of mire, and its semi-amphi- 

 bious habits, seems fairly an associate of the elephant and hippopota- 

 mus. Although dangerous to Europeans, it is regarded, in the hands 

 of the natives, as rather a docile animal. I saw, however, a native 

 bearing the marks of a frightful wound inflicted by a buffalo ; one 

 cheek, including the eye and nose, having been torn away, and left 

 hanging like a large tumour, with the profile still distinguishable, on 

 the side of the head. 



Passports having been obtained for an excursion into the Interior, 

 a party of us left Manila in two canoes, conveniently furnished with 

 sliding roofs and dry floorings of bamboo. The water was smooth, 

 and although the current was strong, our progress against it by 

 paddling, was rapid. The banks of the stream were lined with 

 houses; and the very numerous population was obviously uninflu- 

 enced by European fashions. Occasionally, a native might be se- 

 lected, as he stalked forth, who, in attitude, dress, and whole personal 

 appearance, seemed the miniature image of a Tonga man. Numbers 

 of women were fishing with the hook and line, standing in the water, 

 or in canoes, or sometimes in half-canoes ; but the large square dip- 

 nets, provided with a lever and weights, were always managed by a 

 man. We were all struck with the ease with which the necessaries 

 of life seemed procurable ; and especially, with the great quantity of 

 food obtained from this narrow quiet watercourse. 



The rearing of ducks, was practised on a scale not dreamed of in our 

 quarter of the globe, and in its details afforded a very curious spec- 

 tacle. While, to complete the aquatic scene, buffaloes were led by a 

 cord to their evening bath ; and many of them might be observed 

 having only the mouth and eyes above the water. We landed at one 

 place ; and rarely have I felt so entirely separated from home ; since 

 in the midst of a civilized and intelligent population, it would have 

 been difficult to explain who we were, the objects of the Voyage, or 

 even where our country was situated. 



Towards sunset, we changed our crew, and having obtained a 

 mast and mat sail, we entered the lake; proceeding among aquatic 

 fences of slips of bamboo, which had been carried out for miles 

 in the shallow water, for fishing purposes. After clearing these. 



