334 



JOURNAL R. A. S. (CEYLON). 



[Vol. III. 



Most authors are agreed that the word translated "tree" in 

 the above passage, as well as "grove" and "tree" in Gen. xxi. 33, 

 and xxxi. 13, should have been "tamarisk" or "tamarisk-tree." 



There is one species of the Tamarisk indigenous to Ceylon, 

 but while the tree of the Bible is spoken of as affording shade, 

 and a refreshing sight to the weary traveller of the desert 

 and other places, our Ceylon tamarisk is remarkable for 

 growing generally in water, " and for a poor leafless appear- 

 ance." Such, at least, is the peculiarity of those I saw 

 growing in the marshes near Jaffna. It is remarked, that 

 " On the extreme part of the desert of Shur, the scene 

 where Hagar Avandered with her outcast child, the stunted 

 bushes of the Tamarisk grow in abundance, and some travel- 

 lers have remarked, that it was probably under one of these 

 bushes that the desponding mother cast the child of her 

 blighted hope." With reference to shade, I may mention, 

 that the natives of Jaffna have particular objection to rest 

 or to build their huts under the shade of certain trees, while 

 the shade of the Tamarind is chosen by them of all others 

 as being the coolest and healthiest. The Tamarind, however, 

 bears no resemblance, except in name, to the Tamarisk. 



There is rather a rare tree in this part of Ceylon, being one of 

 those which the natives call ^cgdUdtt uguressa, (Xanthoxylon 

 Rhetsa), and the seeds of which it is possible the Egyptians 

 used in embalming. Under the shade of this tree, the " hill 

 people of India assemble to examine and determine their 

 matters of public concern," at meetings likely similar to 

 the gansabhd of the Sinhalese. 



There is a fine specimen of this latter tree at the village 

 of Kanatta, near Colombo. 



Rose. 



" The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for 

 them ; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose." 

 (Isa. xxxv. 1.) " The interesting comparison in the above 



