282 



N. ANNANDALE. 



occur in the intermediate territory between that of Glycosmis and that of Weihea. 

 There are comparatively few clumps of Prickly Pear in the sandy area, but trees of 

 the indigenous Euphorbia neriifolia are not uncommon and perhaps reach a larger 

 size than in any other area. 



Generally speaking, creepers are less abundant and less luxuriant than either in 

 the Pongamia zone or in the other main area of the interior. This is particularl}^ 

 true of the large liafias, for herbaceous species such as those of the genera Dioscorea 

 and Cissampelos are not uncommon on the bushes. 



Except for masses of Jatropha, herbaceous plants are represented in this area 

 mainly by Oldenlandia Heynii, which forms a regular border to the clumps of Weihea 

 in the rain}^ season. This plant, however, has almost completely dried up by 



TnxT-FiG 3. — Thickets of Weihea ceylonica on sandy ground. Dead plants of 

 Oldenlandia Heymi in the foreground ; a large tree of Crataeva religiosa in tlie background. 



December and the soil is bare except for its dead stems. At a few spots where the 

 bushes are absent, perhaps owing to sand-pits having been dug or to their roots 

 having been destroyed by visitors in search of the tubers of Dioscorea, there are 

 small thickets of Tephrosia and Crotalaria. 



The origin ai. ficetum and its substituted thickets. 



We now come to what I regard as the most important feature in the vegetation 

 of the island. In m}^ account of the general character of this vegetation I have 

 therefore given it greater prominence than any other. 



The largest and apparently the oldest trees in the island are a few fine specimens 

 of the Banyan (Ficus bengalensis). But even in my own experience of seven years some 

 of the finest of these have almost completely disappeared, while others have under- 



