THE TECHNOLOGIST. [June 1, 1864. 



482 THE TIMBER TREES OP CEYLON. 



M. Inclica, A. Dec. ; M. hexandra, Moon. " Palu-gaha," S. ; " Pali- 

 marum," T. — An abundant forest tree, towards the north of the island. 

 One of the best timbers, and most known under its native names, and 

 much confounded with the real iron wood (Mesua ferrea). Timber 

 extremely hard, strong, and durable ; used for oil-presses, bridges, 

 house-buildings, &c, and next in value to the Hal-milille (Berrya am- 

 monilla). 



Bassia longifolia, Linn. " Telmee-gaha," S. ; " Illupei," T. — A most 

 useful tree ; large quantities of oil made from its fruits by the natives. 

 Timber used for keels for dhonies, bridges, and house-buildings ; very 

 much cultivated. 



Dasyaulus neriifolius, Thw. "Ganmu," S. — Timber useful for 

 common purposes. A common tree, left for shade in the various 

 cinnamon gardens. 



Isonandra grandis, Thw. " Mieria-gas," S. 



Bassia latifolia, Moon. " Kiri-hsembiliya," S. — Central Province and 

 Saffragam. An oil extracted from the seed of the tree, like that of the 

 Illupei. 



EbESTACEjE. 



Diospyros embryopteris, Pers. " Maha-timbiri," S. ; " Paniche," or 

 " Toombika," Tam. — Wood used for buildings, but of indifferent quality. 

 Every part of the tree used medicinally, or in the arts. Juice of the 

 fruit very glutinous, and charged with tannic acid ; used by the natives 

 for paying the seams of fishing-boats, and for preserving their lines and 

 nets. In Ceylon this tree is converted into masts, yards, &c, for country 

 vessels, and the natives consider it the best sort of all the jungle-woods 

 for that purpose. 



D. cordifolia, Roxb. " Vuckuna-marum," T. — Growing in Jaffna. 

 A hard, heavy wood ; colour brown ; said to be very strong, but difficult 

 to work. 



D. sylvatica, Roxb. " Sudu-kadumberia," S. — Grows in Hantanne 

 and Ratnapoora, up to 4,000 feet. Wood whitish and very hard ; used 

 for fancy work. 



D. Toposia, Ham. " Kahakala," S. — A middle-sized tree, not un- 

 common in damp forests, up to an elevation of 4,000 feet. Timber used 

 for fancy cabinet-work. 



T). cruminata, Thw., in the Central Province, at 2,000 and 4,000 feet ; 

 and D. affinis, Thw., on the lower road from Kandy to Badulla. — The 

 timber of both these is suitable for building purposes. 



D. quesita, Thw. ; D. liirsuta, Moon. " Kaluma3clirya," S. Sing- 

 herajah and other forests between Ratnapoora and Galle. — This species 

 produces the most valuable of the timber known as Calamander wood, 

 so much esteemed for ornamental cabinet-work. Nearly allied to 

 D. cruminata, but its longer leaves and fruit, and its pentamerous 

 flowers, will distinguish it. The variegated part so much in request is 

 an accidental produce of the tree, some trees producing none of it — 



