to such an extent that there was no room for them on the land.  The milk was of fine quality, and the cheeses which were made, and are still made, are the best in the islands, and are esteemed as such.  But the cattle have decreased so much, that the ranches that had a thousand cows now have but the name of having been there.  The best ranch always was the one that belonged to us, located something like three-quarters of a legua from the city, for it had about two thousand cows; but scarcely does it preserve five hundred today.  The cause of this might have been from the Indians not eating beef in the beginning, and their dogs not disturbing the calves.  But now the Indians eat beef, and the fields are full of unruly dogs, so that between them both, the cattle are a thing of the past.  Only the fathers of the Society, as in all districts, have the good fortune to preserve their estates, and maintain their cows in the said city; so that it may be said that they sustain the city, which nets them not a little gain.  The fields are full also of a weed called amores secos, [24] which is not good for the cattle.  Furthermore, the island is barren, for which reason the Spaniards abandoned it, and established the seat of their government in the island of Luzon, where at present is located the city of Manila.  The city [of Nombre de Dios] lies in that part where the vendaval blows, so that the waves and surf are blown against their houses.  Lying in front of and very near to Sugbu is an island called Magtang, where Captain Magallanes was killed years ago.  It is a low-lying land, and now with so few inhabitants that they do not reach fifty; but when the Spaniards arrived there was a greater number. [25] There are two channel-entrances, with one strait between the two islands.  It is not of even width but is narrow in some places, and wide at others, in accordance with the points and bays between the islands.  One mouth lies toward the brisa, and is deeper and narrower; the other to the vendaval, shallower, but wider.  Hence by this latter mouth no ship with high freeboard can enter, but they enter by the other mouth.  The port has so deep water right next the shore, that the ships anchor on the sand.  The fort is now located quite near, and is mounted with excellent artillery.  The ships of our Spaniards passed by, and anchored here.  They found many people; for truly the island was thickly populated, and with the most warlike people of the country, as has been seen when they have joined with the Spaniards.  They have performed excellent exploits in the service of the Spaniards, and have aided them in conquering the country.  The old inhabitants assert that when the Spaniards arrived, the town of Sugbu was so populous that its houses extended from Mandave to San Nicolas, which is, I think, more than one and one-half leguas by land.  Now there are so few inhabitants, that there are not three hundred tributes in the town of San Nicolas, which is the town proper of Sugbu.  They are separated