NO. 53. — ) 902.] TREES AND FLOWERING PLANTS. 



157 



127. — Pterocarpus Marsupium. 



Gamalu, S. ®©d ; Venkai, T. Q<au6ssr&frtu. 

 Trim. Cey. Flor., vol. II., p. 90. 



A moderately large tree, with broad spreading crown, 

 thick pale yellowish-gray bark, and smooth twigs. Leaves 

 rather large, pinnate, with alternate leaflets, about three 

 inches in length, somewhat bi-lobed at apex, with numerous, 

 conspicuous parallel veins. Flowers small, bright yellow, 

 in panicles. Seed pod nearly circular, "much curved 

 upwards," with a winged base. 



Occurs in Sabaragamuwa in the grass lands to the east 

 towards Uva, but not very abundant. 



A most valuable wood, brown with dark streaks, handsome, 

 taking a fine polish. Very suitable for house-building, 

 furniture, panels, &c. Heavy, about 56 lb. per cubic 

 foot. 



Affords the astringent known as "Kino," used in medicine. 

 [Common about Nawalapitiya.] 



128. — Fongamia glabra. 



Magul-karahda, S. ©o^sad^. 

 Trim. Cey. Flor., vol. II., p. 91. 



A moderately large tree, with pale grayish or brownish- 

 gray thick bark. 



Leaves imparipinnate (three or four pairs of leaflets and 

 one terminal), on thick stalks attached to a rather long 

 rachis. Thin. 



Flowers small, pale pink or greenish-pink, sometimes 

 nearly white, in axillary racemes. Pod one-seeded. 



Widely distributed and in places fairly common, apparent- 

 ly introduced. Extends up to 1,800 feet in Sabaragamuwa. 

 Often found on the bunds of old tanks in the dry districts, 

 but never far from water. 



Wood rather hard, pale yellowish, little used. Suitable 

 for only very temporary work, as it is quickly destroyed 



