a piper leaf (Piper betel L.), this is wrapped about the piece of nut, and is ready for chewing.  The areca palm grows well in this territory, and quite an extensive grove is to be found near the village of Bakaok, yet this is the only place where any number of the people are addicted to its use.  Tobacco (tabao), on the other hand, is in universal use, although it certainly was introduced after the arrival of the Spaniards.  The leaf is dried, and is rolled into thin cigars which are placed in tiny pipes (Fig. 21).  The cigar itself is never held in the lips, nor is the leaf chewed.  Young and old of both sexes smoke frequently, but not a great deal at a time.  After taking a few puffs, the pipe is stuck into the hair, or under the inner band of the hat, until again needed.

The only intoxicating drink made and used by this people is the fermented juice of the sugar-cane, known as basi.  The juice when extracted from the cane is boiled with water for four or five hours.  It is placed in a large jar together with cinnamon bark, and is tightly covered over with leaves.  Fermentation begins almost at once, but for a month the drink is raw and little prized.  In three or four months, it becomes quite mellow and pleasant to the taste.  Jars are sometimes stored away to be opened only for some important event, such as a marriage festival or the celebration of a great ceremony.  At such a time a very definite procedure is followed.  The most honored guest is invited to do the serving.  He removes the covering, dips into the liquor, pours a little on the sides of the jar, and then a few drops on the ground as an offering to the spirits.  A coconut shell cup is then dipped out, and is carried to the lakay or some other old man.  Before he drinks, he raises the cup to the level of his face, and, beginning at his right, offers it to each person in the circle.  The one saluted makes a gesture away from his body with his right hand, the palm upturned.  When all have refused the cup, the man drinks, often he stops to sing the daleng, an improvised song in which he compliments his host, bespeaks the welfare of his family, or praises the other members of the gathering.  One after another the guests are served, but always according to age and importance, the women and young people being left to the last.  The liquor is quite intoxicating, two or three drinks being sufficient to put the company in a jovial mood.  It often happens that one or more will become gloriously drunk, but, as a rule, they are not quarrelsome, and there seems to be no unpleasant after-effects. [226]

Domestic Animals.—­Dogs, pigs, chickens, and carabao appear to have been long in the possession of this tribe.  Horses, goats, and cattle are now owned by some of the people, but only the former are of sufficient number to be considered important.