184 MYROBALANS OP COMMERCE. 



C. micrantlia, judging from one little plant we have retained at Peradenia, 

 appears to thrive quite as well as at Hakgalle ; it will, however, have to be 

 ascertained, by and by, at what elevations respectively this and the other 

 species will produce the largest relative quantity of quinine. 



As I have reason to believe that many gentlemen engaged in coffee 

 planting, would be glad to co-operate in trying experiments in the cultiva- 

 tion of the Cinchonas at different elevations upon their estates, it may 

 possibly be considered desirable to distribute, some time hence, under 

 conditions to be determined upon, a few plants of those raised at Hakgalle. 

 This course of action might probably lead to a more extensive cultivation 

 of Cinchona in this Island than the Government would feel disposed itself 

 to undertake, though it would be, no doubt, desirable for the present 

 experiment to be carried on with every possible activity and carefulness, 

 until the cultivation should be well understood, and it could be fairly 

 given over to private speculation. 



THE MYROBALANS OF COMMERCE. 



BY P. L. SIMMONDS. 



Under the trade name of Myrobalans,* are imported from India the 

 dried fruit (a drupe) of several species of Terminalia, chiefly T. Bellerica and 

 T. Chebula, which are used by tanners, and in calico-printing for producing 

 a durable black dye. 



The drupe of T. Bellerica, Roxb., is obovate, obscurely five-angled, fleshy, 

 covered with greyish silky down. The fruit of the Belleric Myrobalan, in 

 its dried state, is larger than an ordinary oak gall-nut, but not so regular 

 in shape. The taste is astringent, and it is sometimes used medicinally by 

 the natives. The kernel of the nut is said to intoxicate, if eaten in great 

 quantity. These Myrobalans have been occasionally imported here under 

 the name of Bedda nuts. They are likely, from this name, to be mistaken 

 for the Badam nuts, the fruit of Terminalia Catapa, Linn., the drupe of 

 which, however, is compressed, oval, \vith elevated margins, convex on both 

 sides. The various vernacular names of the Belleric Myrobalan are Tamkai, 

 Tamil; Taiii, Malay ; Bahura, Bengal; Toandee, Tadi, Teloogoo. 



The Belleric Myrobalan is much used in the arts as an astringent and as 

 the basis of several colours. The tree is found in the mountainous parts of 

 India, and is common in Mysore. The kernel of the fruit yieds an oil 

 which is said to promote the growth of the hair. 



* [The mode of spelling this word is very various. O'Shaughnessy (Bengal Dispen- 

 sary), spells it Myrobalon ; Poole (Statistics of British Commerce), Myrabolam. I agree 

 with M'Culloch (Com. Diet.), that Myrobalan is the correct spelling.] 



