through the heated atmosphere. The sky and the white clouds 

 were iridescent. Every plant seemed to show the effect of too 

 great heat, and the pinnae of the coconut leaves were actually 

 drooping. Even the native children, who generally play bare- 

 headed in the open sun, kept in the shade. Still the shade 

 temperature probably did not exceed 95°, although a black bulb 

 thermometer would have registered possibly some 50 degrees 

 higher. At one o'clock the hotel proprietor announced his belief 

 that the monsoon had arrived. By three dark clouds began to 

 travel across the sky from the southwest, and shortly after the 



Fig. 30. Ornamental plantings in the Botanical Garden, Peradeniya, Ceylon. 



rain fell in torrents. During the remainder of our stay in the 

 island there was a heavy rain every afternoon, and in a very 

 short time the lawns were green and all the trees had brightened 

 up wonderfully. It is quite likely, however, that the improved 

 appearance was due as much to washing away the accumulation 

 of dust as to new growth. 



The prevailing habit among the plants of blooming at or near 

 the close of the dry season certainly gi^^es them the advantage 

 of a continuous supply of moisture for the development of their 

 fruits and seeds. It does not appear probable, however, that 

 the habit has been developed as a result of this advantage, but 



