istrict there
are several islands called Vabuianos, where the Indians raise swine of
remarkable size. Throughout the whole island [of Luzon] there are many
wild swine. They are not fierce, like those in Espana, and accordingly
are easily killed. There is a great number of large, fierce wild
buffaloes. They are killed with muskets, and on one occasion they
were unable to bring down a buffalo with twelve musketshots. If the
man who is shooting misses, and does not get quickly under cover, he
will be killed. The Indians catch them as we do partridges here, and it
is a remarkable thing, wherefore I shall now explain it. They make a
very strong stockaded enclosure [_corral_], and on either side of the
gate they move out, carrying with them palm leaves of a certain kind,
touching one another. They keep spreading out the line until it is
about a quarter of a legua long, more or less. When they find a herd,
for the animals go many together, they frighten and follow them, and,
driving them along, continue with shouts; and as they are running and
striking with the said leaves, the buffaloes will not pass through
the line of men if they are excited. Thus little by little they enter
into the narrowest part until they are compelled to enter into the
gate of the enclosure, which is then barred. There the Indians, by
their devices, catch the animals one by one, tie them, and put them
each one in a small enclosure of strong stakes so narrow that they
cannot turn around, so that they have no chance to struggle. There
they keep them without food for a fortnight, until they are so feeble
and thin that they cannot stand. Then an Indian comes with a wisp of
hay, and although angry, they needs must eat; and within twenty days
they are so tame with the person who gives them food, that they let
themselves be scratched. Iron rings are put in their noses, and they
are led anywhere with a rope, like a beast of burden. I have seen one
of these buffaloes with a negro who had fed him, seated on his head,
and he played with the negro like a dog, but was a lion for those whom
he did not know. This jurisdiction is fifty leguas long on the sea
side. The interior of the island remains unpacified, as it consists
of the said mountains. The bishopric of Las Camarinas [_sic_] is the
most easterly on this island, and extends more than sixty leguas,
including several adjacent islands, such as Burias, Ticao, Capul,
and Catanduanes. There are many nutmeg trees in