The second and more common type of house is shown in Plate LXXIV.  Here the top of the tree has been cut off some fifteen or twenty feet above the ground leaving a stump to serve as a part of the foundation.  Many smaller poles help support the floor and then extend upward to form the wall and roof stays.  The upper flooring of beaten bark rests on cross-beams which have been lashed to the uprights.  Above it are occasional horizontal poles, forming a skeleton to which the walls of nipa palm are fastened.  In some houses two or three of the foundation poles extend above the floor to such a height that they are used as the supports for the ridge pole.  In others true king posts rest on the beams, which in turn are supported by the corner poles.  From the ridge a number of smaller rods extend to or project out over the side walls, and on them rests the roofing of nipa palm.  A space of several inches often intervenes between the roof and the side walls.  The whole structure is so firmly lashed together with rattan that it is capable of withstanding severe storms, despite the fact that it gives and creaks with every wind.  During violent storms the house is further secured by anchoring it with rattan lines to nearby trees.

Entrance to the dwelling is gained by means of bamboo or rattan ladders.  These are drawn up at night, and with all means of access thus removed the inhabitants need have little fear of a surprise attack.  If enemies do attempt to dislodge them the defenders have the advantage of their elevated position in the use of their weapons.

Generally, each house contains only one room which varies in size according to the number of inhabitants.  Frequently two or three families are found living in one house, for it is the custom for the suitors, and often for the husbands of the married daughters, to live with the girls’ people.

Near the door, or in one comer of the room, is a small box of earth in which several stones are imbedded.  This constitutes the hearth, about which is found a miscellany of pots, jars, and other kitchen vessels.  The smoke finds its way out through a small opening at each end of the roof, or through the narrow space under the eaves.  There is no recognized arrangement of the room.  Utensils[1] are scattered promiscuously about and when the inhabitants are ready to sleep they occupy such parts of the floor as are free or can be most easily cleared.

[1] These consist of baskets, rice mortars, and winnowers, weaving outfits, bark dye vats, as well as traps and weapons, nearly all of which are so similar to those already described for the Bagobo that they do not call for special notice here.

The people of a community build their houses within a short distance of one another, yet seldom so close together as to form a village.  However, village life is not entirely unknown, for in the vicinity of Cateel Governor Bolton found six houses, partially surrounded by palisades, perched on the top of a conical hill.