182 



JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XVII. 



171 . — AXINANDRA ZEYLANICA. 



Kepun-miriya, S. £S?g 3$©?®. 

 Trim. Cey. Flop., vol. II., p. 231. 



A moderate-sized tree with straight pale grayish-brown 

 bark and short drooping branches. Leaves large, opposite, 

 on very short stalks, ovate-lanceolate, stiff, smooth, strongly 

 veined, with very distinct intramarginal vein. Flowers 

 greenish, small, in axillary or terminal racemes. Fruits very 

 curious, rather resembling an acorn, with a cuspidate head. 



Not very common, but occurs sparingly in the Pasdun 

 Korale, Kitulgalla, and in eastern Bambarabotuwa. 



Wood pale dull ashen-gray, coarse, rather heavy. Not 

 much used. Suitable for mine props or rough temporary 

 work. 



[Rayitunwella, Ambegamuwa, Southern Province, Nillo- 

 wakanda.] 



SAMYDACEJE. 



A small Order represented by three Genera : Casearia, 

 Osmelia, and Homalium. 



172. — Homalium zeylanicum. 

 Liyan, S. gcs^f. 



Trim. Cey. Flor., vol. II., p. 239. 



A very erect handsome tree with pale brownish-gray bark, 

 rather rough. Leaves alternate, rather irregular in size, ovate, 

 tapering to base, shortly pointed, serrate, smooth, glossy, 

 with rather conspicuous veining. Stalk very short. Young 

 leaves a handsome purplish-pink, quickly turning green, 

 except on veins below. Flowers pale greenish-white, 

 arranged in close clusters on hanging panicles. 



Very common in the wet forests of both Provinces up 

 to 4,000 feet, often near water. 



