CEYLON. 



39 



none of the other Ceylon species are known to exist elsewliere. 

 Of Rosaceas we find that the Neelgherry range has only tliree 

 species of Rubus, while there are no less than eight found on the 

 mountains of Ceylon, three of which are peculiar to them. Both 

 countries have an Alchemilla in common, while the Agrimony 

 of Ceylon does not exist on the Neelgherries, but is found 

 abundantly on tlie Himalaya range ; and I have lately described 

 a new species of Poterium from Adam's Peak, the only one 

 which has hitherto been met with in India. Two species of 

 Potentilla grow in Ceylon, and three on the Neelgherries, one 

 only of which is common to both countries. A comparison of 

 this kind might be run on with to a great length, but enough 

 has already been shown to prove that wliile the Flora of the 

 central part of the island has more affinity with that of the 

 Neelgherries than with any other part of the world, yet it must 

 have had a creation of its own, nearly allied, indeed, to the other 

 in forms, but very distinct in individuals. 



Altliough many of the genera found in the upland regions of 

 Ceylon are such as are common in Europe, yet none of the 

 Ceylon species are identical with European ones. Indeed, there 

 is not to be found growing, really wild in the island, a single 

 species exactly the same as any European one. There are, 

 however, a few which have become more or less naturalised, 

 having been introduced along with garden and other seeds. 

 Tiiese are the connnon Sow Thistle (Sonchus oleraceus), the 

 common Chickweed (Stellaria media), the Mouse-ear Chickweed 

 (Cerastium vulgatum), the Corn Spurry (Spergula arvensis), 

 and the annual Meadow-Grass (Poa annua). All these, with 

 the exception of the first, which is much more general, are 

 mostly confined to the plain of Newera-Ellia. In all countries 

 plants which arc introduced from others and find a congenial 

 soil and climate, and which produce their seeds in profusion, 

 and of a nature to be easily blown or carried about from place 

 to place, are sure to naturalise themselves, and often in the 

 course of a few years are not to be distinguished from those 

 which are really original denizens of the clime. Besides those 

 from Europe just enumerated, there are many others natives of 

 distant tropical countries which are now rapidly spreading them- 

 selves on the island ; and as it is of thg utmost importance to 

 distinguish them from those which are truly natives, I shall 

 here enumerate all those species of which I possess sufficient 

 evidence to establish their exotic origin, and mention the coun- 

 tries from which they have been brought. 



The two species of Prickly Pear (Opuntia) which are now so 

 connnon in dry sandy localities in the low country, are natives 

 of tlie tropical parts of the continent of America, as, indeed, the 

 whole of the Cactus tribe is. The beautiful rose-coloured Peri- 



