74
M. DE GUIGNES* OBSERVATIONS ON
This ifland extends from the tenth to the twelfth degree of latitude north. Itis divided from north-weft to fouth-eaft by lofty mountains, which occafion fo fen-fible a difference in the climate, that on one fide winter holds its fway, while theother-enjoys fine fummer weather. The air at Leyte is more refrefhingly cool thanat Manila .
The forefts produce ufeful timber, and fhelter and fupport a number of flags, buffa-loes, and wild boars. The foil is remarkably fertile, and yields abundance of rice,pulfe, and other vegetables ; cotton and wax are likewife found in the ifland. Theinhabitants are a gentle race, chiefly employed in the manufacture of cloths and inthe fifhery.
PANAMAO.
Panamao lies north of Leyte , on which ifland it depends; it is reputedly fixteenleagues in circumference, is mountainous and well watered: among its productionsare remarked quickfilver and fulphur.
This ifland, oppofite to Leyte on the weft, is the firft of which the Spaniards madethemfelves mafters ; it is twenty leagues from north to fouth and about eighty # in cir-cumference : it exports an abundance of tobacco, cotton, wax, civet, and white hempfor cloths and cordage.
The fmall ifland of Malta, which lies oppofite and at a fhort diftance from Zebu ,with that forms a fafe fhelter for flapping. On the fouth-eaft is another iflet calledFuegos, the inhabitants of which are generous and brave.
NEGROS.
Weft of Zebu the ifland Negros is a hundred leagues in circumference ; it is rich,populous, and watered by numerous rivers which render it fertile. The governorrefides in fort Iloilo , built on a cape fronting the ifland of Imaras ; this lafl ifland is onlyten leagues in circumference, and is feparated from Panay by an arm of the fea, whichferves as a port. In Panay are many Negrillos. The port of Saint Anne lies threeleagues diflant from Iloilo .
CUYO.
Weftward of Punay is the iflet Cuyo ; it is rich in all kinds of animals and fruit, andyields abundance of pulfe, vegetables, and rice.
paragoa.
This ifland, the molt weftern of all the Philippines , is a hundred leagues in length byfrom twelve to fourteen in breadth. Its centre lies under the tenth degree of latitude
chart, and chiefly for the purpofe of noticing that, although in the inftance of Mindanao the Frenchleague of twenty to a degree is ufed, in the prefent the Spanifh league of fixteen to a degree mull; be thatreferred to by our author. — Translator.
* There is an error either here or in the chart; the league is the Spanifli league, fixteen to the degree,and the circumference fliould be ftated fifty, Zebu being reprefented a long and narrow ifland. Eightyappears to have been placed by the printer for fifty. — Translator.
north,