THE TECHNOLOGIST. [June 1, 1864. 



490 THE TIMBER TREES OF CEYLO . 



destroys hair wherever it is applied, without pain. Its timber is used 

 for common purposes. 



Gyrocarpus Asiaticus, Willd. " Herna-gctha," S. — Grows to be a very 

 large tree ; not uncommon in Katregam and the hot, drier parts of the 

 island. The wood is white, soft, and not very light ; when procur- 

 able, is preferred above all others for catamarans. Much used for 

 making cowrie boxes and toys. Takes paint and varnish well. 



Urticace^;, or Nettles. 



Laporta crenulata, Gaud. ; Urtica stimulans, Moon. " Maussa," S. — 

 A plant, the sting of which has fearfully virulent properties. 



Boehmeria malabarica, "Wadd. ; Urtica aqaatica, Moon. "Mahadrya- 

 dul," S. — A small tree, the bark of which is used for fishing-lines by the 

 natives. 



Morocarpus longifolius, Blume ; Urtica verrucosa, Moon. " Gass- 

 dool," S. — Bark used like the above. 



Tribe Artocarpe^e. 



Artocarpus nobilis, Thw. ; A. pubescens, Moon. " Del-gaha," S. — A 

 gigantic tree, common in the "Western, Southern, and Central Provinces, 

 up to 2,000 feet. I have often seen trees of it having a diameter of 3 to 

 4 feet. Its timber is in great request for backs and shelves of almirahs ; 

 fishing-boats are hollowed out of single trees, &c. 



A. Lakoocha, Roxb. " Etta-heraliya," " Molbaedda," and " Kanna- 

 gona-gaha," S. — A common tree, up to an elevation of 3,000 feet. 

 Timber used for ordinary purposes. 



A. integrifolia, Linn. " Kos-gaha," S.; " Pla-marum," T. — The 

 famous jack-tree, the fruits occasionally weighing 50 lbs. A most 

 common tree in gardens, and often apparently in the forests ; but 

 Thwaites does not consider it indigenous. Its timber, jackwood, is 

 perhaps the most valuable and the most extensively used for furniture 

 and all useful piu-poses of any grown in the island. The wood, when old 

 and well-polished, approaches mahogany in colour very much. It is 

 becoming scarce and expensive. 



A. incisa, Linn. The bread-fruit. "Rata-del," S. — Is now a common 

 and plentiful tree, but its timber is not used. 



AUceanthus zeylanicus, Thw. " Allan-dugas," S. — Central Province, 

 at 1,000 to 2,000 feet. A very tough fibre obtained from its inner bark. 

 Timber used for ordinary purposes. 



Antiaris innoxia, Blume. " Ritti-gaha," S. — The famous Sack-tree, a 

 species of the same genus as the poisonous Upas-tree. Not uncommon 

 in the hot, dry parts of the island. A gigantic tree, timber not much 

 used. 



Streblus asper, Lour. " Gaeta-nitul," S. — Abundant, up to an eleva- 

 tion of 2,000 feet. A small tree, but its timber is much esteemed on 

 account of its being hard and taking a good polish. Pieces of it often 

 used by the natives as tooth-brushes. 



