matra, and the Celebes, were thrown up from the ocean bed, or severed from the mainland of Asia; probably the latter. Mr. Wallace, in his "Malay Archipelago," argues for the unity of the entire Malayan group. His theory is, that they were separated from the Continent of Asia in a comparatively recent geological period, and that for purposes of commerce and government they should be treated as one group. He says:

"For reasons which depend mainly upon the distribution of animal life, I consider the Malay Archipelago to include the Malay Peninsula as far as Tennasserim and the Nicobar Islands on the west, the Philippine Islands on the north, and the Solomon Islands, beyond New Guinea, on the east. All the great islands included within these limits are connected together by innumerable smaller ones, so that no one of them seems to be distinctly separated from the rest. With but few exceptions, all enjoy a uniform and very similar climate, and are covered with a luxuriant forest vegetation. Whether we study their form and distribution on maps or actually travel from island to island, our first impression will be that they form a connected whole, all the parts of which are intimately related to each other. The Malay Archipelago extends more than four thousand miles in length from east to west, and is about thirteen hundred from north to south. It would stretch over all Europe from its extreme western limits, far into Central Asia, or would cover the widest part of South America, and extend far beyond the land into the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It includes three islands larger than Great Britain, and in one of these— Borneo-the whole of the British Isles might be set down, and it would then be surrounded by a sea of unbroken forests. New Guinea, though less compact in shape, is probably larger than Borneo. Sumatra is about equal in size to Great Britain; Java, Luzon, and the Celebes are about the size of Ireland."

The Philippine Archipelago can not be conceived of

and treated as apart from this Malayan empire, insular and peninsular, of which it is but a fraction. It is bound up with these other islands by ties of soil, climate, race, language, and commerce, and whatever is done for the Philippines will inevitably affect the destinies of millions who, like the Filipinos, are Malayan in blood and speech.

The climate of the Philippines is very greatly misunderstood in America. It is a tropical climate, modified greatly by the proximity of the sea and by the presence of ranges of mountains in all the larger islands. Though so near the equator, the temperature rarely reaches 100° (Fahrenheit) in the shade, and has never been known to fall below 60° in Manila. The mean monthly temperatures in Manila are as follows: January, 77; February, 78; March, 81; April, 83; May, 84; June, 82; July, 81; August, 81; September, 81; October, 80; November, 79; and December, 77. This gives a mean temperature for the year of 80°. These temperatures, however, do not tell the whole story. The excessive humidity makes the heat doubly trying. In the months from April to July it is a moist, steamy heat that has an enervating influence upon Europeans and Americans, especially if they must be exposed to the sun in the hotter portions of the day. The nights are nearly always comfortable, thus making restful sleep a possibility even in the hottest months of the year. I have now spent two years in the Islands, and have only suffered two hot nights. In each of these cases my discomfort was as much due to poorly-ventilated rooms as to climatic conditions.

So far as mere physical comfort is concerned, the climate of the sea-level in the Philippine Islands surpasses that of any State in America, unless it be Southern California. It is never so hot as to make the punkah, that bane of life in India, a necessity. It is never so cool as

to make a fire necessary. Overcoats are never needed. The same weight of garments can be worn the twelve months round with no feeling of inconvenience; and one never suffers from the gusty, raw weather which is so trying in nearly all our own States. During the months from November to April the climate is as near perfection as can be found in the world. Days of glorious sunshine,

not too hot if one can avoid the rays of the sun from about eleven to four o'clock, are followed by nights of starlight and moonlight of such brilliance as can only be found near the equator. When Americans learn the perfection. of the Philippine climate from November to March, multitudes will divide their time in the East between Japan and our own possessions.

Professor Dean C. Worcester has this to say of the climate here:

severe an

kely to remain

minate en ugh to es

Area an 01 Spaniard who,

cape maTMà at the end -nine years in the Philippines, a is a' e to beast that he had not been ill a day. He had ali's been so situated that be could take care of himself, and he had bne it. But how is it with the explorer, the engineer, the man who would fell timber, cultivate new ground, or in some other way develop the latent resources of the country? Any one really exposed to the climate under such circumstances will find it severe. He can not humor his digestive apparatus; for his bill of fare will be limited to what he can carry and what the country affords, and he will be fortunate indeed if, sooner or later, he does not suffer severely from bowel trouble. He will be more than fortunate if he escapes malaria, which is especially prevalent where forest land is being cleared or new ground broken. The climate is especially severe on white women and children. Malaria and digestive troubles aside, the health of the colony is fairly good, and the danger from epidemic discase comparatively slight. Smallpox is always present; Set it seldom spreads rapidly, as a large percentage of the marves have it during childhood, so that there is hardly material for an epidemic. Cholera is infrequent, but when

once starts it can not be controlled. The natives believe that a black dog runs down the streets and the disease dreaks out behind him. They declare that it is the will of God, and refuse to take the simplest precaution.”

This was written before the terrible cholera epidemic of 1002. It was shown conclusively in that scourge that modern sanitary methods are effective in staying cholera

in the degree to which they can be applied; and during this year (1903) such has been the vigilance of the health. authorities in Manila, cholera has been held in check in the face of what would have been insuperable difficulties under Spanish rule.

As a practical proof of the comparative heathfulness of the Philippine Islands, the experience of the American army is conclusive.

Though exposed to the full effects of the climate, the health of the troops has averaged but little less satisfactorily than while in barracks in Kansas or Texas or Dakota.

The monsoon, or wet season, is commonly reported to be the most trying for Americans. It usually begins about the middle of July, and continues with more or less severity for three. months. During these months the normal

rainfall in central Luzon is one hundred inches, or eight feet on the level. Rivers are flooded, roads become bottomless, bridges are washed out, and all the earth is soaked. As a matter of fact, this season is one of the most enjoyable in the whole year. With the exception of two or three storms, either amounting to typhoons, or, at the least, to furious wind and rain lasting from one to ten days each, this much dreaded season is one of alternate