NO. 53.— 1902.] TREES AND FLOWERING PLANTS. 191 



A tall erect tree with dark brown rather thick bark and 

 close heads. The leaves are of variable length, usually 

 about two inches, ovate or oblong, occasionally pointed at 

 the apex, more often rounded. Lateral veins few, and much 

 arched. Stalk short, alternate. Rather dark shining green 

 above, paler below. Flowers small, yellowish, in closely 

 packed axillary branches. Fruit scarlet, with solitary 

 smooth seed. 



Not very abundant. Occurs in the Pasdun Korale and 

 Sinha Raja forests, especially near Kokawita in the 

 Kukulu Korale. 



The wood is said to be very hard, heavy, and durable, and 

 valuable for timbering mines. 



Yields gutta in small quantity. 



187. — Bassia longifolia. 



Mi, S. @ ; Iluppai, T. gDjyMsw/j. 

 Trim. Cey. Flor., vol. III., p. 79. 



A very large deciduous tree with thick grayish-yellow 

 bark and large heads. Leaves alternate, rather lDng, 

 lanceolate or narrowly oblong-lanceolate, tapering at ex- 

 tremities, smooth, with rather fine pellucid veins. Stalks 

 about half an inch. 



Flowers pale, greenish-yellow, fleshy, sweet to the taste 

 but disgusting in smell, reminding one of mice. Ihe 

 flowers are arranged on long drooping stalks in the axils of 

 the young leaves. Fruits rather long, pointed, with usually 

 solitary large seed. 



Yery common in gardens, but occurs in a semi-wild 

 state in the dry parts of Meda, Atakalan, and Kolonna 

 Korales in Sabaragamuwa and in parts of the Western 

 Province. 



Wood dull red-brown with wavy straw-coloured streaks, 

 close, hard, dense grain. Weight, about 62 lb. per cubic foot. 

 Suitable for heavy work, such, as beams, bridge planks 

 trusses, posts, and the like. 



