is a notable stimulant, also strengthening the teeth, hardening
the gums, and sweetening the breath. Consequently both Spaniards and
Indians make much use of it, and always carry it in their mouth, as
they use the coca in Piru. With the juice of this plant, then, they
anointed the dead body, and so injected it through the mouth that it
penetrated the whole body. Thus prepared, many bodies have been found
uncorrupted after a lapse of many years; but they did not place the
corpses in the earth, but in their dwellings, enclosed in coffins of
the hardest wood, incorruptible, and with the cover so fitted that
it was impossible for the air to enter. Moreover, they placed gold
in the mouths of the corpses, and laid with them many articles of
value; and thus they buried them, under the house, richly adorned,
and with the corpse another chest, containing garments. Besides this,
they usually were careful to carry to the burial various viands,
which they left there for the dead person. In former times, they
would not let them depart to the other world alone, but gave male and
female slaves to accompany the dead. These slaves, having first eaten
a hearty meal, were then immediately killed, that they might go with
the dead man. It once happened that they buried with a chief a vessel
manned by many rowers, who were to serve him in his voyages in the
other world. The usual place of burial was the dead man's own house,
at least in the lower part--where a great pit was dug, in which the
coffin was placed. A small railing was constructed about the pit, and,
leaving it open, they placed inside the food which they brought. Others
buried their bodies in the open field, and for several days burned
fires beneath their houses and set guards, so that the dead man might
not return and carry away with him those whom he had left.

After the burial the mourning ceased, but not the feasting and
intoxication, which lasted more or less time according to the rank of
the deceased. The widow or widower, and the orphans and other relatives
who felt most keenly their grief, expressed their sorrow by fasting,
abstaining from meat, fish, and other viands--eating during this
period only vegetables, and those in very small quantities. Among
the Tagalos the color for mourning is black, and among the Bissayans
white. The latter also tear out their hair and eyebrows, which makes
them ugly indeed. Upon the death of a chief, silence must be observed
in the village