[61] The _estado_ was equivalent to 1.85472 English yards, having nearly the same value as the _braza_. [62] Probably the _sibucao (Cæsalpina sapan_); its wood produces a red coloring-matter which is highly valued, especially by the Chinese. Some varieties of it are more highly esteemed than are those produced in Brazil. These "Brazil" Islands are apparently the small groups north of Luzón, now known as Batanes and Babuyanes. [63] An archivist's marginal note on the Sevilla MS. reads: "Doubtless this should be Bassilani"--which is the modern Basilan, an island southwest of Mindanao. [64] Regarding piracy in the Philippines, see Barrantes's _Guerras piraticas de Filipinas_ (Madrid, 1878); and Montero y Vidal's _Historia de la piratería en Mindanao, Jolo y Borneo_ (Madrid, 1888). [65] A term (imported from America, and from the Nahuatl language) applied to several species of _Calamus_: the rattan--a plant of great use to the natives for many purposes. [66] Compare the custom among the Norse vikings--a warrior, at the approach of death from natural causes, embarking alone in his vessel, floating out to sea, and setting it afire, that he might perish with it. [67] The table for Spanish measures of length: 12 puntos = 1 linea; 12 lineas = 1 pulgada; 6 pulgadas = 1 sesma; 2 sesmas = 1 piè (the foot, = 11.128 U. S. inches); 3 piès = 1 vara; 4 varas = 1 estadal. Also, 9 lineas = 1 dedo; 12 dedos = 1 palma. The _legua_ of 8,000 _varas_ equals 4.2151 United States miles. [68] _Camote:_ the sweet potato (_Ipomoea batatas_.) [69] An interesting reference to one of the earliest and most characteristic industries among the natives of the Philippines. The "wild banana" is the _abacá_ (_Musa textilis_); its product (made from the fibers of the leaves) is commonly known as "Manila hemp," and is one of the chief exports from the islands. Two kinds of cloth are now made by the natives from the _abacá_, called _sinamay_ and _tinampipi_; in making them, they use only primitive handlooms. See Zúñiga's description of this manufacture, in _Estadismo_ (Retana's edition), vol. ii, pp. 41, 42: cf. pp. 94, 95, where he praises the cotton cloths made in the Philippines.