CAMARINES, North and South, Phil ippines, two provinces in the southeastern part of the island of Luzon. Area, 3,279 square miles. The name is also applied more vaguely to the whole of the southeastern peninsula of the island. The formation of the peninsula is volcanic; the Caravallos range of mountains extends its whole length, from north to south, and seven of its peaks are active volcanoes. One of them, which is continually emitting smoke and flame, is well known to mariners coming from the east, and forms a kind of natural lighthouse. The most important prod uct is rice. The soil of the two provinces possesses the same remarkable fertility which accompanies all the volcanic formations throughout the archipelago. Tobacco, sugar, coffee, cocoa and indigo are largely produced for exportation; but the chief occupation of the inhabitants of the Camarines is the culture of the pineapple, and the manufacture of pina cloth (q.v.). The women of the Camarines are esteemed the most artistic embroiderers in Luzon of the delicate pina and also display singular skill in the working of gold and silver filigree. All the artificers in precious metals are women; and some articles of jewelry, especially their neck chains, are very beautiful. The agriculture of the Camarines indicates in some respects a degree of progress beyond that of the other provinces of the island. The ox,
and occasionally the horse, are used in plowing, instead of the slow, unwieldy buffalo, so gen erally preferred by the native East Indian farmer. The Camarinians have also discarded the primitive plow, formed from a single piece of crooked timber, with a point hardened by fire; and have substituted in its place a more modern style of implement. The provinces have well-constructed roads; the rivers abound in fish and are crossed by substantial stone bridges. The Naga River, which drains the lakes Bato, Baao, Buhi and Iryga, and empties into the Bay of San Miguel, is navigable about 40 miles for vessels drawing not more than 13 feet of water. The industrial development of these provinces has been accompanied by a notable increase in population; and this is composed, with but small exception, of the brown race of the Philippines, which has yielded so readily to the influences of Christian civilization. The Camarines have not had their progress retarded like other provinces of Luzon, by the troublesome presence of the wild negrito race. .