ANIMAL AND PLANT LIFE. 149 
Bowela I found, in a damp valley, a Sonerila growing in a 
rocky crevice. Memecylon umbellatum, M. grande, and M. 
capitellatum are all very common in the forest areas. 
Of the Lythraceze, I found Lagerstremia flos-regine not 
uncommon on the banks of the larger streams, where it 
frequently occurs as a large tree. Lawsonia alba is cultivated 
at Panawa. In the “ park country” I found a few examples 
of Woedfordia floribunda, but this is far more common near 
Passara and Bandarawela. 
The poisonous Modecca palmata is often to be met with, 
but isnot common. I was surprised to notice that it was little 
known to the people. Passiflora fetida, however, appears 
to be well known, though its distribution is probably more 
restricted. The Papaw has been introduced here, and is to 
be found in some of the gardens, but sparingly. 
Of the Cucurbitacee, I found T'richosanthes integrifolia to 
be fairly common, its brilliant red billiard-ball-like fruits 
being very conspicuous. Isuspect that it is eaten by monkeys, 
as I frequently found fragments of the fruit. Cephalandra 
indica is often to be seen in dampish forests. In all the 
chenas Cucumbers of sorts are grown, and appear to find a 
considerable market demand. 
Possibly these may have originated in the well-known 
cucumber, but owing to degeneration and environment have 
changed their form, for certainly the average shape of Vedda- 
country “ Kekiri”’ is more round in outline than ovate. The 
‘“ yind”’ is remarkably bitter to the taste. 
Of the Begonias, I found a few examples of what I take to 
be B. malabarica not far from the base of Westminster Abbey, 
but it may have been an “ escape.” 
Our monotypic Tetrameles undiflora occurs but sparingly in 
the north of the Maha Wedirata, while the individual trees 
are immense. 
Of the Cactaceze, Opuntia (?) dillenii is frequently to be 
met with, bothinasemi-wild state and in hedges. I found it 
growing in profusion at Okanda, and all down the coast where 
there were, or had been, gardens. I am unable to say if the 
Veddas knew it, though the name Katu-patuk is well known. 
I am inclined to suppose that it was spread by the Tamils. 
