NO. 53. — 1902.] TREES AND FLOWERING PLANTS. 163 



The seeds, dried and reduced to powder, when mixed with 

 gum can be used for cementing purposes. The fruit affords 

 the well-known laxative medicine called " Tamar Indien," 

 Leaves acid. 



138. — Humboldtia laurifolia. 



Gal-karahda, S. cb&spc 



Trim. Cey. Flor., vol. II., p. 115. 



A small generally gregarious tree or undershrub, with 

 thin dark grayish-brown bark, terminating in drooping 

 branches. Leaves pinnate, on rather long rachis, rather 

 variable, according to size and situation of plant. Conspicu- 

 ous for the somewhat zig-zag manner of growth of the 

 young branches, which are almost invariably hollow near 

 their ends, the hollowed portion usually being in occupation 

 by ants. Flowers white, with pale pink calyx, in close erect 

 axillary racemes. Pod rather large and wide, flat. 



Wood pale grayish-white, hard, close, but never attaining 

 a large size. Affords an excellent wood for warichchies. 



Very common in all the wet forests up to 2,500 feet, 

 especially in the Ratnapura District and Sinha Raja forests. 



139. — Bauhinia racemosa. 



Mayila, S. ®@e ; Acldai, T. ^Cent-. 

 Trim. Cey. Flor., vol. II., p. 116. 



A moderate-sized deciduous tree, with rough much-cracked 

 and knotted dark bark and spreading branches. Leaves 

 small, bifid at the top, giving rather a winged aspect, as the 

 blades are broader than long, smooth, with distinct nerves. 

 Flowers small, pale yellow or yellowish- white. Pods long, 

 narrow, pendulous, flexible. 



Very common in the dry forests, especially between 

 Maduwanwela and Tunkame in the Kolonna Korale. 



Wood light brown, darker towards the centre of the tree, 

 rather hard, about 50 lb. weight per cubic foot, not durable. 

 Affords a strong inner bark suitable for coarse rope. 



[Dry region ; very common.] 



