140 



JOURNAL R. A. S. (CEYLON.) 



[Vol. III. 



Botany. &c. 



Though the whole district is covered with jungle, the quantity 

 of useful timber is surprisingly small. In fact this remark is 

 applicable to Ceylon generally, to a much greater extent than 

 many imagine. The fact is to be attributed, mainly, to the great 

 development of the chena system of cultivation, which is 

 hereafter noticed. 



The Dutch were, with regard to the protection of timber, and 

 also in some other respects, much more provident than the 

 English have shewn themselves ; they planted teak forests — 

 we sell them for a tythe of their value, and then import timber 

 from abroad. 



The most valuable timber trees of the district are the 

 following :-— Pahi, Halmilila, Milila, Satinwood, Sweitenia 

 chloroaylon—tke Buruta and Wiranda of the natives, Kubuk 

 or Kumbuk {Terminalia alata,) Tammanne, Migaha (Bassia 

 lonc/ifoMa,) Kiri Kon, Ebony. 



Of cultivated trees we have the following : 



Gocoanut (Cocos nucifera), which does not succeed nearly so 

 well as in the maritime districts. The produce does not 

 by any means equal the demand ; the usual rate of 

 exchange is two cocoanuts for one seer of rice. Palmyra 

 palm (Borassus flabeliiformis) ; not common, and little 

 prized. Talipot (Corypha umbraculiferci) ; seldom met 

 with, except in the south-east part of the district. Jack; 

 rare, though in some villages it bears readily. Mango ; 

 very rare. 



Of the smaller fruit-bearing trees and plants, the following 

 are to be met with in gardens ; orange, lime, papaw, 

 pine-apple, murunga, pomegranate, plantain, brinjal, 

 {Solatium ineloiKjena) ; bandakka, (Abelmoselius esculen- 

 tus ;) tampala, (Amaranthus); patola, or snake-gourd 

 (Trichosantlms anguina); besides a few varieties of gourd, 

 melon, and bean. On none of these is the least care 

 besto\ved, and the produce is in every respect inferior. 



