NO. 53. -1902.] TREES AND FLOWERING PLANTS. 



139 



MELIACEJE. 



A very important Family, chiefly trees, represented in 

 Ceylon by twelve Genera, confined chiefly to the low-country. 

 They are Munronia, Melia, Azadirachta, Cipadessa, Aglaia, 

 Dysoxylon, Pseudocarapa, Amoora, Walsura, Carapa, Chick- 

 rassia, and Chloroxylon. 



94. — Melia duhia. 



Lunumidella, S. &^9©®^dc ; Malai-vempu, T. u>&u(?a/u.u. 

 Trim. Cey. Flor., vol. I., p. 243. 



A large straight-stemmed tree with brownish-red moder- 

 ately thin bark, long and rather gaunt branches, large 

 compound leaves. Deciduous. The flowers are numerous, 

 in big corymbose panicles. 



Rather abundant, much planted tree, rarely found in a 

 natural state above 2,000 feet. Found in a semi-wild state 

 in the valley of the Maha-oya, foot of the Dolosbage hills, 

 and along the Ritigaha-oya. 



Wood is a cedar-like, soft, quick-growing, light timber, 

 easily polished, and responds well to varnish. 



In great favour for tea boxes, ceilings, and dadoes, but too 

 light to stand straining loads or exposure. Often used for 

 outriggers for boats, owing to its great lightness. Weight, 

 26 lb. per cubic foot. 



The seeds are extremely hard and difficult of germination, 

 unless aided by artificial means. 



A tree well worthy of extended cultivation, as it grows 

 with such rapidity. 



95. — Azadirachta indica (Margosa). 

 Kohomba, S. *e&i»©:® ; Vempu, T. Q<svihq. 

 Trim. Cey. Flor., vol. I,, p. 244. 



A large very handsome tree with spreading crown, rough 

 brownish-red bark, and crowded leaves. 

 F 2 ' 



