Report of the governor general of the Philippine Islands. [1908]

214 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
This recent trip to attend canaos illustrates one of the most important functions of this division. The secretary of the interior, by virtue of the law placing
the non-Christian inhabitants of the islands under his charge, has to make frequent trips of inspection, either in person or by a representative, to the provinces and rancherias occupied by the non-Christians. As his duties in Manila
do not always permit him to go when occasion demands, it has become one of
the essential functions of this division to represent him. The importance of
having a representative of the central government visit the various provinces,
especially those occupied by the non-Christian tribes, can not be overestimated.
It not only furnishes an opportunity to the visitor to see that no abuses are
being committed and that the government is being properly administered, but it
arouses the ambition of the people to have their settlements neat and their
houses well built and in good condition.
To carry on properly the work of this division we need another trained ethnologist to make studies and collections in the provinces. There are but two
men now to do this work, and as either Mr. Christie or Doctor Miller must always be in Manila, the work of increasing the collections and of getting material for publication progresses slowly. We shall begin soon to make a card
catalogue of the museum collections, beginning with the recently purchased
Saleeby collection, and adding to the catalogue as we identify the specimens
about which we are now uncertain. Slow progress will, however, be made on
this work with the present museum force and while that of rearranging the
collections is going on.
FISH AND FISHERIES.
OUTLINE OF WORK.
The work on our fisheries outlined at the beginning of the year has been
steadily carried forward with the following ends in view:
1. To secure as complete a collection as possible of all Philippine fishes, cataloguing the specimens under the native, English, and scientific names.
2. To study the foods, life histories, distribution, and migration of useful
fishes.
3. To discover the nature of the feeding and spawning grounds of the food
fishes, to ascertain the period of spawning, the characteristics of the ova, the
time required for, and conditions favorable to, hatching.
4. To see what methods and apparatus are used by the natives in the
catching, curing, and drying of fishes, and to suggest such improvements as we
know to be practicable.
5. To determine what protection can be given to young fish during the early
stages of their growth.
6. To find places where fishes could be introduced profitably, or where pond
culture could be inaugurated, or practical fish-cultural methods carried out.
7. To ascertain what are the enemies and the causes of the disappearance
of useful fishes.
8. To list the price paid in each locality for fresh and salted fish, the
quantity secured, and the amount exported and imported.
9. To obtain figures as to the quantity and value of all other fishery products.
10. To make an investigation of the pearl, sponge, and coral fisheries.
To carry on this work; Mr. Seale has had the help of three native assistants,
one of whom is an artist, who has reproduced in colors the chief characteristics
of the specimens assigned to him; another is a practical fisherman; and the
third is a water Moro, who is an expert diver and experienced fisherman.
FIELD WORK.
Five months of the past year have been spent in the field and a fairly representative collection of Philippine fishes, to the number of about 8,000 specimens,
has been secured. Numerous new species and others hitherto unrecorded from
the Philippines have been taken. During the investigation in the Gulf of
Davao, Mindanao, 212 different species were taken in one day. It is believed
that this record has never been equaled. Considerable time while in the field
has been given to the study of the pearl fisheries.
THE DAVAO PEARL BANK.
The Davao pearl bank received Mr. Seale's undivided attention for several
days, most of the time being spent on the pearling boats that were working on
the spot. Numerous specimens of shells and oysters were secured. This bank