UG 



MR. F, LETi^'IS ON A VISIT TO 



the converse to account for a wider distribution of tlio.se species, unprovided 

 witli special structuriil niodificationj in those localities where the natural slope 

 oT Lhe land is so gradual as to eliminate the influence of gravity on the 

 individual fruit or seed. In such cases it might follow that the steeper 

 the land, the more rapid the effects of erosion ; while in flatter land there 

 would be a greater congestion of individuals, and consequently an effort to 

 spread away from such congested areas, either upwards or downwards. 



Taking a concrete case as an examjile, Stemonopoms affinis occurs very 

 sparingly 1)etween 4000 and 5000 feet altitude on Kuuadiya[jarawita< This 

 is an endemic fonUj and bears nearly splierical fruit, dehiscing previous to 

 jenninatioiij along slightly depressed sutui-es, but affording no hooks, prickles, 



to 



ir 



or spines to arrest a rolling njov(*nient on steep gj'ound. On the flanks of a 

 mountain several miles to the east of Kunadiyaparawita this sanu^ species is 

 to be found in very great abundance, from about ?)500 feet altitude to over 

 5000 feet, but in this case the slope of the land is comparatively moderate, 



I have already shown that the rainfall around the mountain undei 

 considei^ation is v(M'y considerable^ and its influence in erosion cannot be 

 overlooked, so that comparatively rapid cutting away of the soil appears to 

 be a reasonable factor, as compared with localities with a lower ground 

 inclination and a lesser volume of rain. 



It may not be out of place to mention that in the valhy of the Kuruganga, 

 to the north and w^cst of the mountain here treated of, was once a small 

 ^' planting district/' known as Kuruwitti, One of many pilgrim paths to 

 Adam's Peak follows this valley, and probably optimistic land speculators, 

 attracted by the luxuriant growth of the forest^ were led to believe that 

 equally luxuriant commercial products would result on planting up the 

 locality wMtli coffee, cinchona, and tea. In 1870 an estate was opened by a 

 Scottish gentleman, following an experiment in commercial agriculture 

 attempted in 1SG2 by a 



1 



Moo 



I I 



■man of more enterprise than judgment^ that 

 early failed to respond to his efforts. Arabian coffee, cinchona, and tea were 

 all tried in turn. The last survived precariously, but these ventures were all 

 financial failures, M^ith the result that abandonment followed* It is therefore 

 of interest to note, that while cultural operations in Ceylon have invariably 

 been the means of introducing many new " weeds," the summit of Kunadiya- 

 parawita docs not to-day indicate the presence of such "^^ escapes'' from the 

 properties that were opened and abandoned close by. The same may be said 

 of escapes from native gardens^ none of w^hich have reached the mountain 

 top, though identical '^ escapes" are found at an altitude equal to this peak in 

 distant places. 



It is also worthy of notice that, while the rapidity with which newly- 

 introduced forms adapt themselves and take possession is a characteristic of 



