ng water is obtained by many of the towns from the
rivers at points just above tide limits, and the water is said to be
good. Bridges are few and crude, but are generally built to withstand
heavy strain.

The island of Luzon abounds in rivers and streams. The following are
the principal water courses:

Rio Grande de Cagayan, the source of which is in the northern slope
of the Caraballo Norte. It has numerous affluents, among others the
Magat and Bangag, and, after a course of about 200 miles, falls into
the China Sea in the vicinity of Aparri.

Agro Grande starts in the north, in the neighborhood of the ranch
of Loo, receives the affluents Tarlag and Camiling, as well as many
others, has a course of about 112 miles, and falls into the Gulf
of Lingayen.

Abra has its origin on the opposite slope to that where Agno Grande
takes its rise; runs for about 87 miles, and, after receiving the
affluent Suyoc, divides into three arms and falls into the China Sea
over the sand bars of Butao, Nioig, and Dile.

Rio Grande de la Pampanga is called Rio Chico up to the lake of
Canasen, near Arayat, where it changes its name after its junction
with Rio Gapan. Its course is a little over 38 miles; it receives the
Rio de San Jose and divides into a multitude of arms as it falls into
the sea to the north of Manila Bay.

Rio Pasig has its source in the Bay Lagoon, and falls after a course
of 19 miles into Manila Bay.

The military notes on the climate of the Philippines, the official
record of the temperature and the gales and typhoons, and directions
regarding the handling of ships in the peculiar tempests that prevail
at certain seasons around the islands, are of absorbing popular
interest, and of striking special usefulness.

Climate.--In the region of Manila, the hottest season is from March
to June, the greatest heat being felt in May before the rains set in,
when the maximum temperature ranges from 80 degrees to 100 degrees
in the shade. The coolest weather occurs in December and January,
when the temperature falls at night to 60 or 65 degrees, and seldom
rises in the day above 75 degrees. From November to February the sky
is bright, the atmosphere cool and dry, and the weather in every way
delightful. Observations made at the Observatortio Meteorologico
de Manila have been compiled by the United States Weather Bureau,
covering a record of from seventeen to thirty-two years, from which
the following is an extract: