No. 12. — 1860-1.] BADULLA AND ITS PRODUCTS. 405 



wella, Kuruwiti Korale, at Hanwella, in the Three Korales, 

 and at Ambagamuwa, and in the Badulla district. 



Gamboge. — The Gamboge tree grows plentifully, but the 

 natives seldom extract its valuable gum. They extract oil 

 from its fruit, which ripens in August, and use it for culinary 

 purposes. 



Oils. 



The solid oils which are common in the district are the 

 " Cinnamon suet," obtained by boiling the Cinnamon fruit. 

 " Gamboge oil," also by boiling the fruit. 



The wild Nutmeg (Myristica tomentosa) likewise yields 

 a solid oil by boiling the kernel. 



The Madol oil (Garcinia ecliinocarpa). 

 Meheriija oil (Isonandra, Sp.), are also fatty oils. 



All these oils may, I think, be applied to the manufactur- 

 ing of Soap. 



Dyes. 



Indian Madder, or Munjeet. Among dyes, the Madder 

 is the most remarkable. It grows in abundance in and 

 around Badulla in scattered groups. 



The natives have never used it as a dyeing plant, being 

 wholly ignorant of its useful properties ; they look upon 

 it altogether as a weed. 



In the early part of 1853, I submitted specimens to the 

 Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. The plant grows in moist 

 situations, the soil being a vegetable mould. 



The valley of Badulla is remarkably fertile, abounding in 

 limestone, and plants growing in such localities generally 

 yield a beautiful bright red dye. 



As the plant has hitherto been known to grow only in a 

 wild state, time and experience will be required before the 

 mode of cultivation best suited for it, can be ascertained. 

 Excellent specimens of the root of the Madder grow in 



