136 



JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XVIL 



The wood rarely reaches a large size ; light, soft, yellow- 

 ish in colour, about 26 lb. per cubic foot. The leaves, 

 bark, and seeds are all intensely bitter and are used in native 

 medicines. An infusion of the leaves and seed makes an 

 excellent remedy against fleas and ants. 



[Galle, Chilaw.] 



OCHNACEAE. 



A small Order comprising but two Genera, Ochna and 

 Gomphia, usually with handsome yellow flowers. 



88. — Ochna squarrosa. 

 Mal-ker,a, S. ®<^es^d. 



Trim. Cey. Flor., vol. I., p. 233. 



Usually only a small bush with short whip-like stems. 

 Leaves moderately large with minutely serrate edges. 

 Flowers large, bright yellow, rather loosely placed. 



Fairly abundant towards the dry parts of both Provinces,, 

 bat usually affecting rocky land. 



The wood is very close-grained, brownish-red, but only 

 used for sticks, ox-goads, &c. 



[Jaffna, Trincomalee, Batticaloa.] 



89. — Ochna Wightiana. 

 B6-kera, S. ^©Isrid. 



Trim. Cey. Flor., vol. I., p. 233. 



A small tree, often only a shrub, with leaves very much 

 smaller than the last and small naming yellow flowers. 



Generally distributed up to about 1,500 feet, but not 

 common. 



Wood very hard, close-grained, and proof against white 

 ants. Unfortunately it rarely attains any size, hence the 

 limited use of the timber. Well suited for rafters and wall- 

 plates. 



[Jaffna, Trincomalee, Mannar, Puttalam, Haragama.] 



