June 1, 1864.] THE TECHNOLOGIST. 



THE TIMBER TREES OF CEYLON. 485 



JaSMINACEjE. 



Nyctantlies arbortristis, Linn. " Sepala," or " Sepalika-gaha," S. ; 

 " Pagala-nmlley," T. — Common as a cultivated plant. Bark used for 

 tanning, and flowers for dyeing. "Wood hard and useful, but does not 

 attain much size. Leaves rough, like sand-paper. 



Schrebera swietenndes, Roxb. " Mogalinga-marum," T. — A large 

 timber tree, native of India. Wood of a grey colour, very close-grained, 

 hard, and durable ; used for a great variety of purposes ; and not being 

 liable to warp or bend, is in request by weavers for the beams of their 

 looms. 



Salvadorace^e. 



Salvador^ WigJitiana, Planch. " Ooghai," T. — A common, small tree 

 on the coast from Matura round by Trincomalie to Jaffna. The fresh 

 bark of the root acts as a blister, the berries taste like garden-cress. 

 This, or another species of the genus, is supposed to be the mustard-tree 

 of the Bible. 



Apocynace^e. 



Hunteria zeylanica, Gard. ; Cameraria oppositifolia, Moon. — A small 

 tree, from the coast up to an elevation of 2,000 feet. In every respect 

 the wood of this tree resembles that of the box more than any other I 

 have ever seen. Answers well for engraving purposes. Mr. Oondatjee, 

 who fouud it at Badulla, brought it into notice as a wood fit for the 

 engraver. 



Cerbera odollam, Gaert. " Gon-kadura," S. ; " Kadoo-ma," T. — Near 

 the coast as a fence tree. Wood soft and white, used for charcoal. 



Ochrosia Borbonica, Gmel. " Moodu-kadura," S. — A small sea-side 

 tree, as its native name implies. "Wood like the above. 



Tabernoemonta dichotoma, Eoxb. " Diwi-kadura," S. — This must be 

 the Camara wood, described as white, but tough and strong. 



Wrightia coccinea. — Produces a light and tough wood, used for making 

 palanquins, whilst that of W. molissima is employed by turners ; but I 

 question if any of the four species indigenous to Ceylon will be found of 

 value. 



Alstonia scholaris, R. Br. " Ruck-attana," S. — Common, up to 3,000 

 feet. Wood white, compact, and valuable for the turning-lathe ; 

 employed for making packing-cases, coffins, &c. 



Holarrhena mitis, R. Br. "Kiriwalla," S. — From the coast up to 

 1,500 feet. Wood light in weight and colour, of a fine close grain, and 

 used for inlaying cabinet-work. It is most likely that the famous 

 medicinal seeds of the bazaars, known as " Veppali-arise " and " Kelinda- 

 hal," are the produce of this tree. 



LoGANIACEiE. 



Strychios nux-vomica, Linn. " Goda-kadura," S. ; " Yettie-marum," 

 T. — A large, handsome, and umbrageous tree, common on the coast. 

 Wood described as white, hard, and strong, and not liable to the attacks 



