T -\ ■ "^h 



1^. 



KUNADIYAPARAWITA MOUNTAIN, CEYLON. 



147 



Ceylon, here, at sin ultitudo not inimical to the success of introduced " weeds, 

 the absence o£ siicli pLmts appears to be a special feature. At tl 



3^ 



10 same 



altitude as the summit of Kunadiyaparawita such forms as Aneraliun 

 cowjzoides, Amaraatiis (jangetiais, and Solaniun tnlobalum are constantly met 

 with, but here are totally absent, A«^ain, as Avill be seen by reference to 

 the notes on the plants obtained at the apex of tbo mountain referred to, the 

 proportion of endemics is far greater thnn that of otlier species common to 

 Ceylon and its nei*^hbouriiig countries. The isolation of the point, and its 

 remarkable surroundinos, added to climatic conditions, superlative as regards 

 Ceylon as a whole, may possibly combine to influence the vegetative result 



m 



th 



e direction of predominance of endemics as compared with forms 

 common to other countries. This certainly appears to be the case here. 



The general inaccessibility of the mountain top has preserved it from 

 introductions directly traceable to human origin, hence the struggle has been 

 more between endemics and endemics than between them and invaders from 



■ 



elsewhere. I think it may be inferred from the facts that I have attempted 

 to set forth, that a high percentage of endemics may always be associated 

 with exceedingly stee}) mountains, and that the seeming narrowness of 



vertical distribution in these instances is attribuiable to physical conditions 

 of preponderating power. 



In conclusion, I must frankly admit that the time at my disposal did not 

 admit of my making an exhaustive examination, foot by foot, of the mountain 

 from base to summit^a treat for future explorer?, — but I venture to assunn^ 

 that the material collected from the actual summit of the mountain Is sufficient 

 to bear out the hypotheses I have ventured to advance. 



I have to thank Mr. T. Fetch, B.A., B.Sc, of the Royal Botanic Gardens 

 at Peradeniya, for his great kindness and consideration in supplving me with 

 the identification of the material I brought away. This obligation is all the 

 greater, as I am fully conscious of the ceaseless strain this gentleman has 



upon his time in the discharge of his official work, so that his generous 

 assistance leaves me all the more indebted to him. 



Lastly^ my obligations arc due for the valuable aid and liberal help 

 I received from Mrs. Dulling, who cordially undertook the irksome and 

 uninteresting work of preparing these pages from my original MSS» 



