The Flora of Ritigala, an isolated moun- 

 tain in the North-Central Province of 

 Ceylon ; a study in Endemism. 



BY 



J. C. WILLIS. 



QO far as I am aware, the only investigation of the botany 

 ^ of this remarkable mountain hitherto made is that of my 

 predecessor Dr. Trimen in 1887, described in his " Note on 

 the Botany of Ritigala," in the Journal of the Royal Asiatic- 

 Society (Ceylon Branch) for 1888. As this interesting little 

 paper is practically inaccessible to botanists, I propose to 

 incorporate the bulk of it in the following notes, and begin 

 with a quotation of the first few paragraphs, which will help 

 to explain my own object in further investigating the flora . 

 ; ' The main object of my ascent of Ritigala was to investigate 

 its vegetation and collect specimens of its plants. I had often, 

 during my journeys along the North road, looked with interest 

 at the striking outline of this fine hill, and determined to take 

 the first opportunity that offered of examining its flora, which 

 I knew had never yet been seen by botanically trained eyes, 

 and at length I availed myself of some leisure in July, 1887, 

 and of Mr. Green's companionship. Unfortunately, owing to 

 the prolonged drought for several previous months, vegetation 

 was then in a very torpid state. Many trees and shrubs were 

 dried up and nearly bare of leaves, and very few were in flower 

 or seed ; thus some were indeterminable, and the present 

 notes give doubtless but an imperfect account of the flora. 

 Another visit is needed soon after rains to complete our know- 

 ledge of the botany of this bill, but so far as it goes, the 

 following may be considered to convey an accurate idea of the 

 subject. 



[Annals of the Royal Botanic Oardens, Peradeniya.Vol. VIII., Pt. II., November, 190(1. ] 



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