April 1, 1864.] THE TECHNOLOGIST. 



THE TIMBER TREES OP CEYLON. 405 



Klebihovia hospita, Linn. — A very handsome flowering tree growing 

 in Colombo, but not indigenous to Ceylon. Some young trees about 

 eight to ten inches in diameter cut down, produced a light-coloured 

 wood apparently of no great value, but in Java the old wood is said to 

 be highly prized for handles of kreeses, &c. 



Pterospernum Indicum, said to produce the ornamental wood known 

 in commerce as " kyabooka." This wood is obtained from the knotty 

 excrescences or burrs. It is sawn off in slabs two to four feet long and 

 two to eight inches thick. It resembles the hue of the yew, and is very 

 hard and full of curls, the colour being reddish brown varying to orange. 

 It is very ornamental, and much esteemed in China, India, and England, 

 where it is used for making small boxes, writing desks, and other fancy 

 ornamental work. The wood is brought to Singapore by Eastern traders, 

 and is sold by weight. I do not think that a tree having this botanic 

 name exists. It is most likely the wood of the Pterocarpus Indicus, a 

 handsome tree introduced from the Eastern Islands, which is deservedly 

 becoming a popular road-side tree here. (See under LEGUMiNOSEiE.) 



DlPTEROCARPE^E. 



Dipterocarpus Zeylanicus, Th. " Hora-gaha," S. — This is a gigantic 

 forest tree, producing one of the most common, and perhaps most de- 

 spised woods in the island ; but if harder and more durable woods be- 

 come too scarce for railway purposes, the wood of this tree, and of others 

 like it of great and large growth, may well take its place if it is found 

 that kyanizing or creosotiug must be resorted to. Some trunks of thi3 

 and following species measured three to four feet in diameter by fifty to 

 sixty feet in length. Abundant up to an elevation of 3,000 feet. 



D. hispidus, Th. " Boo-hora-gas," S. Saffragam. 



D. glandulosus, Th. " Dorana gas," S. Putlam, Saffragam, and Am- 

 begamoa districts. A balsamic oil called " Dorona-tel," is obtained from 

 this tree. Wood likely to resemble that of the common " Hora " noticed 

 above. 



Doona Zeylanica, Th. " Doon-gas," S. Abundant and most excel- 

 lent timber tree. Several varieties or species as regards the colour or 

 value of the timber are known in Hewahette. The wood ot the Doon 

 is now much used for shingles for covering the roofs of buildings on 

 new coffee estates. It is sawn into junks of the required length, and 

 they easily split up by axes made for such purposes. 



D. trapezifolia, Th. " Tukahalu-gas," S. — Common forest tree in 

 Central and Southern Provinces up to an elevation of 1,500 feet. 



D. congestiflora, Th. " Tinneya-gas," S. — "Western and Southern 

 Provinces. 



D. cordifolia, Th. Caryolobis indica, Gartner fr. " Beraliya," S. — Pipe 

 fruits roasted or fried are eaten by Singhalese. These three species 

 like the above may produce resin, oil, or valuable timber. 



Shorea oblongifolia, Th. and S. stipularis, both in the south-west of 

 the Island, are likely to produce good timber, as do their congeners in 

 India. 



