this bishopric, the
fruit of which no one gathers. There is in this province a spring
from which flows hot water, and if anything is placed in it it turns
to stone. [52]

The bishopric of Cibu has the largest jurisdiction, as it includes all
the islands to the east, such as Leite, Babao, Maripi, Tinagon, Panaon,
the island of Negros, and that of Oton. Westward are Cebuyan and
Romblon; and to the south the island of Mindanao, which is almost as
large as that of Luzon. There is in it a great deal of cinnamon, rich
gold mines, and considerable civet; and so large a number of civet-cats
that they do no more than catch them with snares, take the civet out
and set them free again, and thus profit by them without furnishing
them with food. There are many other islands, and from there to the
Malucos it must be about eighty leguas. In all these islands there
is collected a great deal of wax and honey, which is produced in the
woods, and which, accordingly, the Indians do not cultivate. The bees
are small and dark-colored, and do not live in the hollows of trees and
rocks, but build their nests among the branches--using on them a dark,
coarse wax, which is so strong that, even though it rains hard, not a
drop of water enters. So much is gathered there that not only are we
all supplied cheaply, but there are sent to Nueva Espana, Japon, and
China more than two thousand quintals each year. There are many deer,
not so slender as are ours; and there are no other animals. There
are many wood-fowl, smaller than ordinary ones, but more palata le;
and which have breasts like partridges. There are in the forests
certain shoots called _bejucos_, which they use as we do osiers here;
but they are much better, some of them being as thick as one's thumb,
and even larger, and six or eight brazas long. When they are thirsty,
the Indians cut off a braza, and a quartillo of fluid runs out of it,
which is good and healthful. There are certain canes [_i.e._, bamboos],
some of which are as thick as one's thigh, and others smaller, and five
or six brazas long; of these the poor Indians construct their houses,
without other material--walls, floors, roofs, posts, and stairs.

There are certain palms which bear a fruit called cocoanuts (which are
ordinarily brought to Espana from Guinea); these are such an aid to
human life that from them, or rather from the cocoanuts, they obtain
the commonest oil of that country, which is as excellent for wounds,
ev