[Duck farms.] The pativas are under the care of the original inhabitants, to whom exclusively the superintendence of the ducklings seems to be committed.  The pens are made of bamboo, and are not over a foot high.  The birds were all in admirable order, and made no attempt to escape over the low barrier, although so light that it was thought by some of our gentlemen it would not have sufficed to confine American ducks, although their wings might have been cut.  The mode of giving them exercise was by causing them to run round in a ring.  The good understanding existing between the keepers and their charge was striking, particularly when the former were engaged in cleansing the pens, and assisting the current to carry off the impurities.  In the course of their sail, it was estimated that hundreds of thousands of ducks of all ages were seen.

The women who were seen were usually engaged in fishing with a hook and line, and were generally standing in the water, or in canoes.  The saraboas were here also in use.  The run of the fish is generally concentrated by a chevaux-de-frise to guide them towards the nets and localities where the fishermen place themselves.

At five o’clock they reached the Laguna de Bay, where they took in a new crew, with mast and sail.  This is called twenty-five miles from Manila by the river; the distance in a bird’s flight is not over twelve.  The whole distance is densely peopled, and well cultivated.  The crops consist of indigo, rice, etc., with groves of the betel, palm, coconut, and quantities of fruit trees.

The shores of the lake are shelving, and afford good situations for placing fish-weirs, which are here established on an extensive scale.  These weirs are formed of slips of bamboo, and are to be seen running in every direction to the distance of two or three miles.  They may be said to invest entirely the shores of the lake for several miles from its outlet, and without a pilot it would be difficult to find the way through them.  At night, when heron and tern were seen roosting on the top of each slat, these weirs presented rather a curious spectacle.

The Laguna de Bay is said to be about ten leagues in length by three in width, and trends in a north-northwest and south-southeast direction.

After dark, the bancas separated.  Mr. Sturges, with Dr. Pickering and Mr. Eld, proceeded to visit the mountain of Maijaijai, while Messrs. Rich, Dana, and Brackenridge, went towards the Taal Volcano.  The latter party took the passport, while the former relied upon certain letters of introduction for protection, in case of difficulty.

Mr. Sturges, with his party, directed his course to the east side of the lake, towards a point called Jalajala, which they reached about three o’clock in the morning, and stopped for the crew to cook some rice, etc.  At 8 o’clock a.m., they reached Santa Cruz, situated about half a mile up a small streamlet, called Paxanau.  At this place they found Don Escudero to whom they had a letter of introduction, and who holds a civil appointment.  They were kindly received by this gentleman and his brown lady, with their interesting family.  He at once ordered horses for them to proceed to the mission of Maijaijai, and entertained them with a sumptuous breakfast.