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



159 



Sub-Order II. — Caesalpinieae. 



This very large sub-division of the Bean Family takes 

 up ten more Genera, which include several important 

 species. 



The Genera are : Csesalpinia, Peltophorum, Mezoneurum, 

 Cassia, Cynometra, Dialium, Crudia, Saraca, Humboldtia, 

 and Bauhinia, all mostly trees. 



130. — Peltophorum ferrugineum. 



Trim. Cey. Flor., vol. II., p. 101, plate XXXII. 



A large tree with smooth grayish bark and rather large 

 heads. Leaves large, bipinnate, with minute leaflets that are 

 unequal-sided. Flowers very handsome, sometimes com- 

 pletely covering the tree with a rich golden yellow. 



Only known in the Western Province and Kegalla as an 

 ornamental tree, for which purpose it is well suited. 



Wood said to afford a black heart. 



[Trincomalee, Batticaloa, dry region ; rather rare.] 



131. — Cassia Fistula. 



Ehela, S. ; Tirrukonclai, T. ^iQ^sQ^ir&xirmu. 



Trim. Cey. Flor., vol. II., p. 103. 



A small tree with smooth gray stem, becoming brownish 

 with old age. Leaves pinnate with rather large leaflets. 

 Flowers large in long hanging racemes, often starting from 

 moderately old twigs, bright golden yellow, often very pale. 

 Pods very long, often two feet, nearly cylindrical, of a bright 

 apple-green before drying. Seeds very abundant, enclosed in 

 a wax-like substance that is of use as a purgative. 



A characteristic plant in the dry forests, and when in 

 full bloom one of the most beautiful. Abundant in all the 

 forests from the Walawe river to the base of the Rakwana 

 and Balangoda hills. Frequently cultivated for the sake 

 of its astringent bark. 



