( 18 ) 



consisted of ebony. The largest log seen by Mr. Bronn 

 measured 7 feet in circumference after the sapwood was 

 removed. The proportion of black heartwood is said to 

 increase on poor soils. 



Rings of growth are inconspicuous, though in the sap wood 

 a zoned structure of light and dark bands is presented. 

 The area between any two narrow dark bands varies from 

 0*2-8 mm. radially. The dark band possesses fibres 

 with thick walls and reduced radial diameters ; the wood 

 parenchyma traverses these bands of thick-walled fibres 

 without reduction in size ; the tracheal elements are equally 

 abundant in the dark and light zones. (See pi. IV., fig. 16.) 



There are not sufficient reliable data concerning the rates of 

 growth of these trees. One tree at Peradeniya measured 147 

 mm. in circumference on 13th August, 1900 ; on 1st March, 

 1904, it measured 180 mm.; seedlings two years old may be 

 900-1,200 mm. high, and about 15 mm. diameter when grown 

 in the open. Mr. Broun states that after passing 3 feet in 

 girth they are very slow growing, and that probably a tree 

 reaches a girth of 18 inches (4-57 metres) at 25 years, 

 26 inches at 75 years, 54 inches at 135 years, and 6 feet at 

 the age of 200 years. 



The anatomy and chemistry has been dealt with in the 

 preceding part. (See pi. XIX., figs. 1-5.) 



Uses. The timber is used in China for making chopsticks, 

 pipes, and carved stands ; in Europe for turnery, cabinet 

 work, piano keys, rulers, walking jticks, brushes, and general 

 furniture. 



The gummy astringent fruits are often eaten for their 

 medicinal and feeding properties. 



Distribution. Chiefly in forests of dry and intermediate 

 zones. In the moist zone it is rare and sporadic, extending 

 up to 4,000 feet ; it is abundant in the Northern Province, 

 especially north-east ; among many other places the 

 following may be mentioned: Colombo, Pasdun korale, 

 Hiniduma, Hantane, Deltota, Matale, Kandy, Hewesse, 

 Dambalagala, Pindeniya, Gangaruwa, Kaclugannawa, 



