April 1, 1864.] THE TECHNOLOGIST. 



THE TIMBER TREES OF CEYLON. 



BY W. FERGUSON, F.L.S. 



In addition to long-continued and extensive personal observation, 

 the following list embodies information from Mr. Thwaites's work, 

 " Enumerato Plantamim ZeyianicEe," from papers by Modliar Mendis, 

 late of the Royal Engineer's Department ; Mr. W. H. Wright, late of 

 Peradenia, and the Rev. Mr. Thurstan ; from the writings of Drs. Rox- 

 burgh, "Wight, and Cleghorn, Major Drury, Capt. Beddome, and others, 

 well known as botanists, or as writers on the useful plants of India. 

 The Singhalese and Tamil names are added, marked with the letter S or 

 T, when the trees have any that can be depended upon. An examina- 

 tion of a set of specimens of woods arranged according to their natural 

 orders, will, I believe, not only convince practical men that it is the 

 best system that can be adopted for every useful purpose ; but in many 

 cases will enable them to detect misplaced specimens. 



DlLLENTACEiE. 



Dillenia retusa, Thunb. " Goda-para," Singhalese. — A common and 

 useful wood, chiefly for building purposes, and more especially as rafters 

 in the roofs ol kitchens, where it is found to be the best wood for resist- 

 ing the effeGts of smoke and heat. 



MAGNOLIACEiE. 



Michelia Nilagirica, Zenk. " Wal-Sapu," S. — A large forest tree- 

 found from 2,000 feet up to Neura-Ellia. Trees about three feet in dia- 

 meter have been seen at Rangalla having a proportional height. The 

 wood partakes of the colour and properties of the lance- wood, and 

 therefore is used by the coachmakers in Colombo for the shafts of car- 

 riages, as it is found to be strong and elastic. 



M. Ckampacca, or the " Rata-Sapu," cultivated and occasionally 

 used like the above. 



ANONACEiE. 



Cyathocalyx Zeylanicus, H. f. et T. "Kakala" in the hills; 

 "Eepatta" of the coast. The well-known light, lacquered Kandyan 

 sticks are said to be made from this tree. 



FLACOURTIACEiE. 



Phoberas Gaertner-iw, Th. " Katu-Kurundo," S. — Wood hard, strong, 

 elastic. Branches and young shoots are tied round the arms of outrig- 

 gers to strengthen them. 



Malvaceae. 



Paritium tiliacemn, Ad. Juss. " Belli-pata," S. — Chiefly for fences 

 and the fibre of its bark. 



Thespesia populnea, Corr. " Suriya-gas," S. "Poovarasum," T.— 

 Called by some the tulip tree. The best known timber tree of the 



