114 JOURNAL, B.A.S. (CEYLON). [YOL. XVII. 



A montane species, found only towards upper Bogawan- 

 talawa and the Horton Plains. 



The wood is dark red, hard, but easily cracked. Suitable 

 for flooring or ceiling boards. 



[Haputale, Nuwara Eliya, Dimbula, Maturata, Hakgala, 

 Hunasgiriya, Rangala.] 



39. — Gordonia speciosa. 

 Mihiria, Ratatiya, S. ®e83cr, SasScs. 



A large tree with smooth bark and oval, much recurved, 

 short-stalked leaves. 



The flowers are very conspicuous, being about four inches 

 in diameter, solitary, on short peduncles, of a deep crimson- 

 red colour. 



A purely hill species and fairly abundant at high altitudes. 

 Occurs near Maskeliya, Bogawantalawa, and the Horton 

 Plains. 



The wood is much like the last, and is a favourite for 

 weather boarding. Fairly durable. 

 [Gregarious in forests above Ramboda.] 



DIPTEROCARPACE/E. 



This is perhaps the most valuable Order we have in 

 Ceylon for timber-yielding trees, and affords the tallest 

 individual examples. 



All examples of the Order are more or less resinous, and 

 many yield valuable by-products in the form of " dammar " 

 and varnish resin. 



In view of its singular importance as a Family it may be 

 desirable in time to re-write the whole Order, after prolonged 

 examination of the structure of the individual species now 

 grouped under the ten Genera into which the Dipterocarps 

 of Ceylon are divided, as at present much uncertainty exists 

 respecting the proper classification of individuals. The 

 enormous size of the trees, irregularity of flowering, 



