ow the islands and
provinces under a different nomenclature. For example: (old names in
parentheses) Albay (Ibalon); Batangas (Comintan); Basilan (Taguima);
Bulacan (Meycauayan); Capis (Panay); Cavite (Cauit); Cebu (Sogbu);
Leyte (Baybay); Mindoro (Mait); Negros (Buglas); Rizal (Tondo; later
on Manila); Surigao (Caraga); Samar (Ibabao); Tayabas (Calilayan).

Luzon and Mindanao united would be larger in area than all the rest
of the islands put together. Luzon is said to have over 40,000 square
miles of land area. The northern half of Luzon is a mountainous region
formed by ramifications of the great cordilleras, which run N. to
S. All the islands are mountainous in the interior, the principal
peaks being the following, viz.:--

Feet above sea level

Halcon (Mindoro) 8,868
Apo [5] (Mindanao) 8,804
Mayon (Luzon) 8,283
San Cristobal (Luzon) 7,375
Isarog (Luzon) 6,443
Banajao (Luzon) 6,097
Labo (Luzon) 5,090
South Caraballo (Luzon) 4,720
Caraballo del Baler (Luzon) 3,933
Maquiling (Luzon) 3,720

Most of these mountains and subordinate ranges are thickly covered
with forest and light undergrowth, whilst the stately trees are gaily
festooned with clustering creepers and flowering parasites of the most
brilliant hues. The Mayon, which is an active volcano, is comparatively
bare, whilst also the Apo, although no longer in eruption, exhibits
abundant traces of volcanic action in acres of lava and blackened
scoriae. Between the numberless forest-clad ranges are luxuriant plains
glowing in all the splendour of tropical vegetation. The valleys,
generally of rich fertility, are about one-third under cultivation.

There are numerous rivers, few of which are navigable by sea-going
ships. Vessels drawing up to 13 feet can enter the Pasig River,
but this is due to the artificial means employed.

The principal Rivers are:--In _Luzon Island_ the Rio Grande de Cagayan,
which rises in the South Caraballo Mountain in the centre of the
island, and runs in a tortuous stream to the northern coast. It has two
chief affluents, the Rio Chico de Cagayan and the Rio Magat, besides
a number of streams which fin