198 THE PLAXT Woin.I). 



Another palm frequently seen throughout the eastern 

 tropics and also cultivated near Henaratgoda is the Areca nut 

 palm. These graceful trees with a tall slender trunk and a 

 featherj' crest are conspicuous objects of beauty in the tropical 

 scenery. The nuts, produced prolifically in clusters beneath the 

 crown, are used to a great extent, as all the natives are addicted 

 to the habit of betel chewing, and the areca nut forms part of the 

 mixture used for this purpose. 



XIII. IIakgali.a Botanic Garden, Ceylon. 



About six miles from the mountain resort, Xuwara Eliya» 

 the Hakgalla Garden is situated on the steep mountain side, at 

 an elevation of 5,600 feet. This garden was founded in 1860 

 for the reception of the Cinchona plants which had been intro- 

 duced from Peru by Sir Clements Markham. The area is about 

 5,550 acres, part of it being in jungle and a considerable area is 

 covered with grass forming the peculiar patana formation typ- 

 ical of Ceylon. The climate of Hakgalla is quite temperate, tlie 

 mean annual temperature being about 61°. 



For many years Hakgalla was simply a government Cin- 

 chona nursery, from which seeds and plants were distributed to 

 planters, until the Cinchona industry had attained large propor- 

 tions. In 1882, however, its transformation into a botanic gar- 

 den was begun. Mr. W. ITock, who then became superintend- 

 ent, did much to build up this garden. 



A great variety of trees and shrubs from temperate coun- 

 tries and from the mountains of the tropics are cultivated. The 

 garden is nicely laid out and the natural situation just below the 

 mighty crag of Hakgalla, towering to a height of 1,600 feet 

 above the garden, contributes towards making the place one of 

 unusual beauty. 



One of the principal features of this garden is the tree fern 

 (Alsophila crenata), which occurs in great numbers and is of a 

 large size, sometimes reaching nearly thirty feet, with fronds 

 spreading into a crown some twenty feet across. 



Different pines, oaks and other plants of temperate regions 



