NO. 53.— 1902.] TREES AND FLOWERING PLANTS. 153 



Occasional in the valley of the Kalu-ganga near Ratnapura 

 and in Gilimale forests. 



Wood pale dull white, rather close, easily sawn. In 

 demand for tea boxes, but not suitable for that purpose owing 

 to a poisonous acid in the bark of the wood. 



[Moist low-country ; rare.] 



120. — Semecarpus coriacea. 



Badulla, S. Sg^C- 



Trim. Cey. Flor., vol. I., p. 321. 



A rather large tree with pale smooth bark and closely 

 crowded leaves, about half the size of the last. Flowers in 

 terminal panicles, pale greenish-white. 



Rather common in the hill country above Balangoda and 

 Rakwana, but not very abundant. 



Affords a pale white wood, soft, rather spongy, and quickly 

 rotting. 



Sometimes used for tea boxes, but should be avoided. 



The bark gives out a blackish fluid on being cut, that re- 

 sembles a dull-coloured tar, very dangerous if applied to the 

 skin. 



[Above 4,000 feet ; common.] 



121. — Semecarpus Gardneri. 



Badulla, S. ©gc?c. 



Trim. Cey. Flor., vol. I., p. 322. 



A small tree with finely furrowed grayish bark. Leaves 

 rather large, oblong-lanceolate, soft, bright green above, pale 

 below, with lateral veins prominently conspicuous below. 

 Leaf -stalk rather long. Flowers small, greenish-white. 



A very common wet-forest tree up to about 1,500 feet ? and 

 generally known for its poisonous bark, which will blister 

 the skin if the contained resinous juice is freshly applied. 



The wood is light, pinkish-white, soft, and easily decaying. 

 It is sometimes used for tea box manufacture (by those 



G 21-02 



