within the hollow of the cane, there are membranes somewhat similar to beaten and glazed paper, on which I have at times written.  In some of the canes there is also found a juice or liquor which is drunk as a luxury.  There is nothing especially remarkable in the fact that so much abundance should be deposited in the hollow of these canes; for, just as in other regions trees need water, in the Filipinas some are found which furnish it—­acting as a perpetual fountain for a whole community, even though it may be on the apparently dry uplands.  In all that locality there are no other springs than these trees.  The method which they employ for obtaining the liquid from the tree is to make some cuts or incisions in the trunk and the thicker branches; and out of these is distilled and flows a clear, sweet water, in ample quantities.  But, to return to the subject of the canes, it should be known that in our church of Manila were erected two ladders, each of which had only two canes somewhat more than eight brazas in length:  the steps consisted of strips and slips cut from the said cane.  They were used in decorating the church and each one would sustain at its top two or three men; they were erected without any prop being needed to sustain them.  Each cane was at the lowest part about three palmos in circumference, which crosswise or in diameter would be about one palmo. [47] These ladders are well adapted to such needs, for being, as they are, strong and yet hollow, they are not very heavy, or hard to move.  From these canes they make in China the whips which with three or four blows kill a man.

To this abundance and fertility was added the proximity of China, India, Japon, Malaca, and Maluco.  From China they not only began to ship their riches in silks and glazed earthenware, as soon as they learned of our wealth of four and eight real pieces; but they also stocked the islands with cattle (which have since multiplied there exceedingly) and with horses and mares, and great stock-farms have been established.  The Chinese have also supplied provisions, metals, fruits, preserves and various luxuries, and even ink and paper; and (what is of much more value) there have come tradesmen of every calling—­all clever, skilful, and cheap, from physicians and barbers to carriers and porters.  The Chinese are the tailors, the shoemakers, the blacksmiths, the silversmiths, sculptors, locksmiths, painters, masons and weavers; in short, they represent all the trades of the community.  Their labor is so cheap that a pair of shoes costs no more than two reals, and so many are made that they have been shipped even to Nueva Espana.  From India, Malaca, and Maluco come to Manila male and female slaves, white and black, children and adults; the men are industrious and obliging, and many are good musicians; the women excellent seamstresses, cooks, and preparers of conserves, and are neat and clean in service.  The islands also import drugs, spices, and precious stones; marble, pearls, seed-pearls, carpets, and other riches.  From Japon are imported much wheat, and flour, also silver, metals, saltpeter, weapons, and many curiosities.  All of these things make life in that region pleasant and an object of desire to men; and indeed it seems a copy of that Tyre so extolled by Ezekiel.