[234] This fabric is now called Pina.  It is made from threads stripped from fibers of the leaf of that plant or fruit, and which are never longer than half a yard.  It cannot be woven at all times, as extreme heat or humidity affects the fiber.  The machinery employed is of wood, unmixed with any metal, and of rude construction.  This fabric is stronger than any other of equal fineness, and its color is unaffected by time or washing.  The pieces are generally only 1 1/2 feet wide:  the price varies from 1.s. 4d. to 2s. 6d. per yard.  Pina of a yard wide is from six reals to a dollar (of eight reals) a yard.  All the joinings of the threads are of knots made by the fingers.  It is fabricated solely by native Indians in many parts of the Philippines, but especially in Ilo-Ilo.  The use of this stuff is extensive, and the value is estimated at 500,000 dollars or L120,000; the value of the annual export of it to Europe for dresses, handkerchiefs, collars, scarfs, and wristbands, which are beautifully embroidered at Manila, is estimated at 20,000 dollars annually. (Mr. Consul Farren, January 21, 1851).—­Stanley.

In order to obtain the fiber of this plant, the fruit is first cut, so that the leaf may become as long and broad as possible.  When the leaves are well developed they are torn off, and scraped with a sharp instrument to separate the fleshy part and leave the fiber; this is washed, dried in the sun, combed out, and classed in four grades according to its fineness.  The cloth has a peculiar softness and delicacy; and it is said that that made formerly (one or two centuries ago) was much finer than that made now.

[235] Scorzonera is a genus of composite plants, of numerous species; the leaves or roots of many are used as vegetables or salads. S. tuberosa and other Eastern species have edible roots.

[236] Delgado (ut supra) says that this fruit (Diospyros kaki, Linn.) was brought by the Chinese traders, and called Xi-cu in their language, whence is derived the word chiquey.  It is a beautiful scarlet fruit, although there is another species of a yellow color.  Both are sweet and pleasant to the taste.  Some of the yellow variety were grown in the Visayas, but Delgado says the tree is not indigenous to the islands.  The fruit is shaped like an acorn but is about as large as a lemon.  The peel is soft and the interior like honey, and it contains several seeds.  The tree is wide-spreading but not very tall.  The leaves are small and almost round. D. kaki is the Chinese or Japanese persimmon; D. virginiana is the American persimmon.  From other species is obtained the valuable wood called ebony.

[237] This must be the cloth and not the porcelain of Kaga, which even today is so highly esteemed.—­Rizal.

[238] With very slight differences, this custom and ceremony is continued to the present [1890].—­Rizal.