( 46 ) 



The contents of the parenchymatous and tracheal elements 

 are, as one might expect, always conspicuous. In the red 

 sapwood the coloured contents are almost limited to the 

 medullary ray cells, but in the black heartwood every 

 element is filled with reddish-brown materials. A dis- 

 colouration also appears in the walls. 



The differentiation of the elements is comparatively regular. 

 The percentage number of fibres is approximately 81, and 

 the maximum variation is presented in the cells of the wood 

 parenchyma. Insignificant rings of growth can be distin- 

 guished, sometimes continuous throughout the section, at 

 other times on one side only. I believe that if old trees of this 

 species were only more abundant we should have a valuable 

 source of ebony, quite equal to D. Ebenum from an economic 

 point of view. Its limited distribution in Ceylon is not 

 due to non-production of fruit. 



Distribution. This species is very rare in Ceylon. It was 

 first found between Bibile and Ekiriankumbura, Uva, in 

 1888. It was unknown to Thwaites and according to Trimen 

 (Fl. Ceyl. p. 99) there were no known specimens from the 

 Island except from the above locality. The flowers were 

 first obtained in Ceylon, in May, 1901. 



It occurs on the patana and coarse forests to the south-west 

 of Bibile in the localities Elukkapudena, Antibuwana, and 

 Diggalrana. At the first-mentioned place at an elevation of 

 700-900 feet, the tree is found on patana ground, and there 

 rarely exceeds a total height of 9*1 metres (30 feet) and breast 

 height circumference of 305 mm. (1 foot), though the trees are 

 probably very old. At the latter places, the tree reaches a 

 height of 18'3 metres (60 feet) and circumference of 1-1'67 

 metres (3t feet 5^ feet). 



Other trees also occur along the Bibile-Bintenna road, near 

 Bibile, at the base of a small hill. 



Uses. The Sinhalese call the tree Kadumberiya in this 

 district. They collect the unripe fruits and after steeping 

 1 them in water for two to three days, pronounce them fit to eat. 

 Ripe fruits are abundant from May to July. 



