CHAP. III.] PLAXTS OF THE COAST. 87 



A little further inland, the sandy plains are covered 

 by a thorny jungle, the plants of which are the same 

 as those of the Carnatic, the climate being alike ; and 

 wherever man has encroached on the solitude, groves of 

 coco-nut palms mark the vicinity of his habitations. 



Eemote from the sea, the level country of the north 

 has a flora almost identical with that of Coromandel ; but 

 the arid nature of the Ceylon soil, and its drier atmo- 

 sphere, is attested by the greater proportion of euphor- 

 bias and fleshy shrubs, as well as by the wiry and 

 stunted nature of the trees, their smaller leaves and 

 thorny stems and branches. 1 Conspicuous amongst these 

 are acacias of many kinds ; Cassia fistula, the wood apple 

 (Feronia elephantum), and the mustard tree of Scripture 

 (Salvadora Persica), which extends from Ceylon to the 

 Holy Land. 2 The margosa (Azadirachta Indica), the 

 satin wood, the Ceylon oak, and the tamarind and 

 ebony, are examples of the larger trees ; and in the 

 extreme north and west the Palmyra palm takes the 

 place of the coco-nut, and not only lines the shore, but 

 lills the landscape on every side with its shady and 

 prolific groves. 



Proceeding southward on the western coast, the 

 acacias disappear, and the greater profusion of vegeta- 

 tion, the taller growth of the timber, and the darker 

 tinge of the foliage, all attest the influence of the in- 

 creased moisture both from the rivers and the rains. 

 The brilliant Ixoras, Erythrinas, Buteas, Jonesias, Hibis- 

 cus, and a variety of flowering shrubs of similar beauty, 

 enliven the forests with their splendour; and the seeds 

 of the cinnamon, carried by the birds from the culti- 

 vated gardens near the coasts, have germinated in the 

 sandy soil, and diversify the woods with the fresh ver- 

 dure of its polished leaves and delicately-tinted shoots. 

 It is to be found universally to a considerable height in 

 the lower range of hills, and thither the Chalias were 



Dr. Gardner. 2 The mustard tree of Scripture is described ante, p. 51, n. 

 G 4 



