Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 12.djvu/637

LUZON.  rocks, Eocene limestone, conglomerates, sandstones, recent formations containing marine fossils, banks of coral limestone, and recent volcanic rocks. Extensive inland beaches containing fossils of existing marine species indicate a recent upheaval, and Southern Luzon was probably at no very distant period a separate island.

The mountains of Luzon are included in three principal ranges, which unite in a common nucleus at Mount Caraballo Sur on the northern boundary of the Province of Nueva Ecija in North Luzon. The Sierra Madre range stretches in a continuous chain along the eastern coast, terminating in Cape Engaño, the extreme northeastern point of the island. The Central and North Cordilleras run in a more broken chain parallel with the western coast, and with the Sierra Madre inclose the large basin of the Rio Grande de Cagayán. The third great system runs southward along the eastern coast and occupies the whole of South Luzon, terminating in Point Sual at the extreme southeastern end. The principal detached chain is the Cordillera de Cabusilán, running along the western coast from Manila Bay to the Gulf of Lingayén, inclosing between it and the eastern chain the large central basin of the Agno and Pampanga rivers. The average height of these ranges is from 2000 to 4000 feet. Mount Datá of the Central Cordillera rising to a height of 7364 feet, the highest point in Luzon next to the isolated volcano Mayón, which reaches a height of 7566 feet.

There seem to be two distinct lines of volcanic activity in Luzon, the eastern line containing the active volcanoes of Bulsan, Bacon, and Mayon in the southeastern part. Cana at the northeastern extremity, and the extinct Isaróg north of Mayón; the western line contains the active volcano of Taál in West Central Luzon, and the extinct peaks of Aráyat and Súngay. Mayón is the most active, and has in the past century emitted considerable quantities of lava, but all of them seem now to be in the last stages of activity. Earthquakes are of frequent occurrence, and have on several occasions caused great losses of life and property, notably in 1863, when large parts of Manila were laid in ruins, and in 1880, when the whole island was convulsed with a series of severe shocks. The style of architecture has to be adapted to withstand these disturbances.

Luzon, like all of the East India islands, is exceedingly well watered. The largest river system of the island, as well as of the whole archipelago, is that of the Rio Grande de Cagayán, running north from Caraballo Sur, which is the principal watershed for the three largest rivers of the island, the other two being the Pampanga, running south into Manila Bay, and the Agno, flowing west into the Gulf of Lingayén. The Abra and the Pagsáu in the northwestern part are also considerable, and besides these there are numberless short streams running down from the Cordilleras on all sides. Luzon has two large and several smaller lakes. The largest is the Laguna de Bay, separating Central from North Luzon, and communicating with Manila Bay through the Pasig River. The other large lake is Taál, lying southwest of the former, and containing the island volcano of the same name. In the wet season several of the rivers expand into temporary lagoons, the plain of Candaba, east of the Pampanga River, being periodically a lake 24 miles in extent.

(for a general description, see ). Owing to its higher latitude and to the fact that it is more exposed to the various winds, Luzon enjoys a climate somewhat cooler, less equable, though more agreeable, than that of the southern islands. The annual rainfall, though considerable (amounting at Manila to 75 and even 120 inches), is less than that of the other islands. Luzon lies directly in the path of the typhoons, known locally as baguios, which sometimes work considerable damage to property on shore as well as to shipping. Violent thunderstorms are also frequent.

These do not differ materially from those of the other islands, and are described in the article (q.v.). Vegetation is everywhere extremely luxuriant, and large areas are covered with valuable forests.

For history, see.  LU′ZULA (Neo-Lat., from OIt. luzziola, lucciola, glowworm, from luce, light, from Lat. lux, light; connected with Gk., leussein, to see, Skt. ruc, to shine, OChurch Slav. lucha, beam of light, OIr. lōche, lightning, OHG. lioht, Ger. Licht, AS. lēoht, Eng. light). A genus of plants of the natural order Juncaceæ, having soft flat leaves, which are generally covered with thinly scattered longish hairs. They do not grow in wet places, like rushes, but in woods, pastures, and elevated mountainous situations. The English name, wood-rush, has sometimes been given to the whole genus, but is only appropriate to some, of which it is the popular name, as Luzula maxima and Luzula campestris, common American species.  LUZZATTI,, (1841— ). An Italian statesman and financier, born in Venice of a Jewish family. He taught for a time in the Instituto Tecnico in Milan, and in 1867 became professor of political economy and constitutional law at Padua. In 1871 he was elected to the House of Deputies, and soon became prominent in matters of finance. He was Minister of the Treasury in Rudini's Cabinet in 1891-92 and 1896-98. An active philanthropist, Luzzatti founded many savings banks and mutual relief associations.  LUZZATTO,, (1800-65). A Hebrew scholar and writer on Jewish history. He was born in Triest, received an academic education, and was professor of biblical exegesis in the Rabbinical School at Padua from its foundation in 1829 till his death. He was regarded as one of the chief restorers of Hebrew literature. His published works include: a Hebrew Grammar; an Aramaic Version of Onkelos (1830); Notes on Isaiah (1834); Dialogues on the Cabala, the Zohar, and the Antiquity of the Vowel Points and Accents of the Bible (1852); and Hebrew Notes on the Pentateuch, with a Hebrew Commentary (1850). His writings on Jewish history are also of great merit.  LUZZI,,. See.  LVOFF,, (1798-1870). A Russian musician, and composer of the national hymn. He was born at Reval, where his father was a well-known musician. He was educated for the army, and after graduating from the military technical (communciation) institute he received a commission in the Imperial Guards. Meanwhile, he had educated