198 



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



spreading into the Meda and Kolonna Korales up to 2,000 

 feet altitude. 



The glossy jet-black heartwood requires little description, 

 as it is so generally known in some form. The wood is very 

 dense, close, hard, and durable. Weight — of heartwood, 

 for the sapwood is useless — rather variable, ranging from 

 71 to 76 lb. per cubic foot. 



It is largely exported from Ceylon, and in that respect is 

 our most valuable timber, its chief use being for furniture, 

 piano keys, inlaying and ornamental work, &c. 



I am indebted to Captain Gillam, the Superintendent of 

 the Central Timber Depot, for the following statistics showing 

 the value of Ebony sold in Colombo since 1892 : — 



Year. 



Quantity. 



Yalue. 





Tons. 



Rs. c. 



1892 



200 



32,595 17 



1893 



334 



44,744 51 



1894 



320 



33,715 53 



1895 



445 



53,841 97 



1896 



252 



34,292 11 



1897 



162 



18,259 60 



1898 



348 



43,704 56 



1899 



521 



73,143 27 



1900 



583 



92,922 95 



1901 



577 



74,029 38 



Total ... 



3,742 



501,249 5 



197. — Diospyros qucesita (Calamander). 



Kalumediriya, S. isa&®^6c3. 

 Trim. Cey. Flor., vol. III., p. 97. 



A rather large tree, sometimes attaining 40 feet of clear 

 stem. Bark dark blackish-gray, sometimes with a bluish 

 tinge, with straight shallow longitudinal furrows. 



Leaves about four and a half inches long, oblong-ovate, 

 rather pointed at base, tapering at apex, where it is bluntly 

 pointed ; rather thick, smooth, dark shining green above, 

 pale below, often much spotted with lichenous growths. 



