No. 58. — 1907. J NOTES ON CEYLON painting, &c. 



113 



worse than the original ones in respect of permanency and 

 much worse in respect of beauty, which is after all the only 

 reason why dyes are used at all — a fact which is sometimes 

 forgotten. 



It will be seen that the art of dyeing has not been developed 

 in Ceylon to so great an extent as in India, and it is now much 

 more neglected than was the case sometime ago. So long r 

 however, as it is thought worth while to dye materials at all, 

 it may as well be done well, and now that cotton is likely to be 

 grown again in Ceylon and weaving may be partly revived, it 

 may be possible also to improve and revive the art of dyeing. 

 This should be done by endeavouring to improve the method of 

 application of the old vegetable dyes of Ceylon and of India, 

 while the use of aniline or alizanin dyes should be carefully 

 discouraged. 



3. — Lacwork* 



Lac work is a well-known industry in India and Ceylon. In 

 Ceylon it is quite a small industry, and deserves to flourish 

 and be encouraged as such. 



Ceylon lac is the product of two species of the lac insect, 

 both different from the Indian. One called keppettiya or kon- 

 lakada (Tachardia albizzice, Green) occurs on several trees, 

 amongst which are the keppettiya (Croton aromaticus), kon 

 (Schleicheria trijuga), and hinguru (Acacia coesia). The other 

 species (Tachardia conchiferata, Green) is called telakiriya 

 lakada, and is found on an euphorbaceous plant called 

 telakiriya (Excoecaria agallocha); this is a rarer species, but 

 produces lac of a brighter and clearer quality. Beside these, 

 small quantities of imported Indian lac are sometimes used. 



Lacwork is now carried on in Kandyan districts at Hapu- 

 wida (South Matale), Pallekanda near Balangoda, and Huri- 

 kaduwa in Pata Dumbara, and in the low- country at Angal- 

 maduwa, near Tangalla. 



* This account of lacwork in Ceylon is partly based on Mr. E. E. 

 Green's article on Lac, Annals R. B. G., Peradeniya, Vol. I., Part V., 

 Supplement, 1903. 



