islands, kingdoms, and provinces, that one would believe that nature did not desire men to ascertain their number.  Both Javas, our Malucas, Borneo, and Nueva Guinea are known; on the west, and at a distance of three hundred leguas, Malaca, Sian, Patan, Camboxa, Cochinchina, and other different provinces on the mainland of Asia.  The Chinese abandoned living in our Filipinas, but not its trade; nor did the cultivation or the fertility of the islands for that Reason cease.  Wheat and other necessary grains are produced there in abundance:  deer, Cattle, buffaloes, goats, and wild boars; and fruits and spices.  If there be anything lacking, the Chinese from Chincheo bring it, such as chinaware and silks.  The wine always used and drunk there is made from palms, by cutting off the clusters of fruit that they produce, when green—­that fruit is called cocos—­from which, after cutting the leaf stalks, they gather the liquor that flows forth, and boil it in jars, until it becomes so strong that it causes intoxication and has the same effects as the strongest Spanish wine.  Of native fruits, there are oranges, lemons, and very sweet citrons; while they have fig and pear-trees introduced from Espana.  They rear sparrow-hawks, herons [martinetes], and royal eagles in great abundance.  They have a great many different kinds of parrots, and other birds, large and small.  In the rivers and lakes are many horrible caymans or crocodiles; these kill the Indians very easily—­and especially the children, who go carelessly to their haunts—­as well as the cattle when they go to drink.  Not a few times has it happened that they have seized the cattle by the muzzles and pulled them beneath the water, and drowned them without power to resist, however large the animal may be.  Then the carcass is dragged ashore and devoured ...  Indians are found so courageous that, notwithstanding the fierceness of those animals, they kill them with their hands.  They cover the left hand and arm with a glove made from buffalo hide, and hold therein a stake or peg, somewhat longer than a tercia, [280] and about as thick as the wrist, and sharpened at both ends.  Then they enter the river until the water reaches the waist.  The crocodile rushes upon the Indian with open mouth to devour him.  The latter presents to it his protected arm and the hand with the stake, so that the beast may seize it, and runs it into the animal’s mouth in such a position that it cannot shut its mouth or make use of its strong teeth to attack its slayer.  Feeling the pain of the sharp stake the crocodile becomes so docile that it neither resists nor attacks, nor dares move, for the slightest movement causes it pain.  Thereupon the barbarian, pulling strongly on the stake, wounds the beast repeatedly with a dagger (carried in the right hand) in the throat, until it bleeds to death.  Then it is drawn ashore with lines and ropes, with the aid of other Indians who unite to drag it in; and many are needed, because