16 WRIGHT : THE GENUS DIOSPYROS 



forests rarely exceeds a total height of 30 feet and a diameter 

 of 5 inches. In the Hiniduma district, however, particularly 

 along the north-west side at an elevation of 1,000 feet, 

 many specimens of D. Thwaitesii attain a total height of 

 15-2 to 18'3 metres (50 to 60 feet) and a breast-height circum- 

 ference of 50 to 76 cm. (20 to 30 inches). 



D. insignis, characterized by its straight leader unbranched 

 to a height of 6'1 metres (20 feet), is likewise of compara- 

 tively small dimensions. The breast-height circumference 

 rarely exceeds 64 cm. (25 inches), and many plants having a 

 main stem less than 12-7 cm. (5 inches) diameter bear a 

 considerable amount of fruit. 



The above-mentioned species may be regarded as those in 

 the wet zone, which are characteristically of small dimensions. 

 Commencing with the class possessing species of relatively 

 large dimensions, we may for the sake of a continuous series 

 first consider the smaller members, JD. Moonii and D. 

 oppositifolia, which thrive best along the banks of streams or 

 along damp precipitous slopes, and usually attain a total 

 height of 12-2 to 18'3 metres (40 to 60 feet) and a breast- 

 height circumference of 610 to 915 mm. (2 to 5 feet). 

 Nevertheless, specimens of D. Moonii in the Hewessa district 

 and D. oppositifolia on the western side of Hinidunkanda 

 occur as clumps of thin leaders matted together at the base 

 by a common system of roots. 



Next to these we may place D. qusesita, D. Toposia, and D. 

 Gardneri, since they often attain a total height of 30-5 metres 

 (100 feet), and many exceed a breast-height girth of 1*8 metres 

 (6 feet). 



The remaining wet zone species, D. crumenata and D. 

 svlvatica. may attain dimensions which rival the colossal 

 species of the dry zone. The largest specimen of D. sylyatica 

 in Ceylon is probably at Ambalawa, near Gampola, since it 

 consists of a main stem 4*2 metres (13^ feet) in circumference 

 which remains unbranched for a distance of 24*4 metres (80 

 feet). At this height the stem branches, one fork then 



