The Forests and Waste Lands of Ceylon. 361 



common ; while among Urticacetz there are numerous figs, Artocarpus 

 integrifolia, A. nobilis, and Trema orientalis. 



Among the shrubs which characterise this zone may be men- 

 tioned Hicmboldtia laurifolia, Mcesa indica, Agrostistachys longifolia, 

 A. Hookeri, Ixora coccinea, Ardisia Moonii, &c. 



Most of the palms of Ceylon are found in this zone. The most 

 important by far is Caryota urens, the toddy and sugar of which 

 provide many jungle people with means of existence. The Talipot 

 palm (Corypha umbraculiferd) is found in several forests, especially 

 in the Kurunegala District, and is noteworthy for the enormous 

 panicle of flowers which the male tree produces, and for its leaves, 

 which are used for umbrellas, fans, mats, &c. The Nipa fruticans 

 is characteristic of brackish waters, while several species of Calamus, 

 with the help of their hooked tendrils, climb to the summits of the 

 highest trees. 



Among the characteristic climbers may be mentioned Coscinium 

 fenestralum, Ancistrocladus Vahlii, Entada scandens, Acacia concinna, 

 Strychnos cinnamomifolia. 



The most beautiful orchid of this zone is the Dendrobium 

 Macarthitz ; and among the most interesting ferns may be men- 

 tioned Gleichenia linearis, which covers large extents of country, 

 Blechnum orientate and Nephrolepis exaltata, which, after the first- 

 named, are the most common, Cyathcza sinuata, which is only found 

 in the Southern Province, C. Walkerii, the tree fern of the low 

 country, Thanuiopteris Nidus, the so-called Bird's-nest fern found 

 growing generally on trees, Asplenium rutcefolium, Diplazium 

 lanceum, D. Schkuhrii, Aspidium Thwaitesii, Lastrcea deparioides, 

 Niphobolus Gardneri, Pleopeltis pteropus (var. minor), Tceniles 

 blechnoides (in the Matara District), Drymoglossum heterophyllum, 

 Stenochlcena palustris, Polybotrya appendiculata, Gynmopteris vari- 

 abilis, G. contaminans, G. subcrenata, G. quercifolia, Acrostichum 

 aureum (generally not far from the sea in swampy places), Schizcea 

 digitata, Angiopteris evecta, Ophioglossum pendulum, and Helmin- 

 thostachys zeylanica. Botrychium daucifolium and Oleandra musce- 

 folia extend into the mountain zone. 



The forests of this zone are of by no means so large in extent as 

 those of the dry zone ; they usually occur in isolated blocks, covering 

 ridges and separated by stretches of chena or by paddy fields. The 

 most important blocks are the forests that in former days formed 

 part of the extensive Sinharaja Forest ; they are situated in the 

 Galle District of the Southern Province, the Pasdun Korale of the 

 Western Province, and the Kukulu Korala of the Province of 

 Sabaragamuwa. The lower forests of the Adam's Peak range also 

 belong to this zone. 



The mountain Zone. — The forests of this zone form the cap 

 of the island. It is from them that all the most important rivers take 

 their rise, and for the preservation of water supply it is therefore 

 necessary that they be preserved. The highest summits of the- 



