272 FORESTRY IN THE CROWN COLONIES. 



75 to 100 inches. It contains species from both the wet 



and dry zones. 

 (3) The Dry Zone comprises two-thirds of the island with about 

 three-fourths of its forests. It has been divided into the following 

 sub-zones : — 



(a) The Arid Sub-zone consists of two strips, one in the south- 



east and the other in the north-west. Rainfall, 20 to 

 50 inches. Forest growth patchy and stunted, repre- 

 senting scrub and low jungle. The only species which 

 reach tree size are Elceodendron glaucum, Mimusops 

 hexandra and Hemicyclia sepiaria. 



(b) The Dry Sub-zone proper is the largest in the island. Rain- 



fall 50 to 80 inches. The forest varies very much from 

 scrub to inferior low forest and to high forest. The two 

 former forms occupy the greater part of the area. The 

 high forest contains most of the valuable species. The 

 scrub and inferior parts are the result of long continued 

 shifting cultivation (chena). The forest growth is 

 generally evergreen ; it is dense, but the trees seldom 

 exceed 40 feet in height. The percentage of valuable 

 species is low. The most noteworthy species are Chloro- 

 xylon Sivietenia, Diospyros Ebenum, Pleurostylia Wightii, 

 Mimusops hexandra and Elengi, Berry a ammonilla, Vitex 

 altissima and several additional species of Diospyros. 

 The Dipterocarps have practically disappeared, but 

 LeguminoscB are well represented by Cassia ynarginata, 

 Dalbergia lanceolaria, Bauhinia tomentosa and racemosa, 

 and several Acacias. Palms are represented by the 

 palmyra palm and Phoenix zeylanica. 



(c) The Park Sub-zone represents a savannah forest containing 



trees like Terminatia Chebula and belerica, Anogeissus 



latifolia, Carya arborea, Butea frondosa and rank grass. 



This class of forest is confined to the eastern province and 



Uva. 

 Littoral forests are found in the mangrove swamps with the 

 usual genera, Rhizophora, Bruguiera and Ceriops, valueless as 

 timber, but the Rhizophora bark is used for tanning. There are 

 also the screw pine {Pandanus) and Ileriliera lilloralis. Near the 

 coastal villages the coconut and palmyra palms are cultivated. 



