xiv Introductory. 



2. TJie Moist Low-country Region. — Though occupying- 

 less than one-fifth of our area, this is by far the best known, 

 the richest, and the most interesting part of the island ; and it 

 is that from which impressions of its climate and vegetation 

 have been mostly derived. It comprehends the whole of the 

 Western Province, the greater part of the Southern and 

 Sabaragamuwa Provinces, a large portion of the Central 

 Province, and small tracts in the Uva and North-western 

 Provinces. I fix the upper limit of this region, where it 

 passes into the montane zone, at 3000 ft. ; and it is con- 

 venient to divide it into a lower and an upper zone by the 

 line of 1000 ft. A very large number of truly tropical 

 species never occur above this last elevation, or, indeed, much 

 above sea-level. In the lower zone, however, are several 

 small isolated hills — the highest of which is Hiniduma Kande,. 

 2160 ft. — which are usually of especial interest as the home 

 of many endemic species. The rainfall over this region 

 varies from 75 up to 200 in. per annum, and is well dis- 

 tributed over the year, falling in both the north-east and 

 south-west monsoons, and especially in May and June during 

 the latter season. A short dry time occurs during some 

 portion of the first quarter of the year, and often again in 

 August and September, the rest of the year being more or 

 less rainy. This wet tropical region is the home of the great 

 bulk of our endemic species, the majority of which show a 

 strong Malayan affinity.* 



3. TJie Montane Region or Hill Country. — This includes 

 all the country above 3000 ft. elevation, and occupies about 

 one-twelfth of our area ; i.e., as seen on a map. It lies wholly 



* See my paper in Journ. R. As. Soc, Ceylon Branch, vol. ix. p. 139. 

 It must be borne in mind that the climatic regions above described are 

 not sharply defined, but pass into one another. Between the dry and 

 moist regions there exists a fairly marked intermediate tract, well 

 developed about Kurunegala, Nalande, Haragama, Medamahanuwara, 

 Haldummulla, Tangalle, and especially in the Wellasse district of Uva 

 and adjoining portions of the Eastern Province. The vegetation of this 

 zone has remarkable characters, and requires more investigation than it 

 has yet received. 



