202 



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



APOCYNACE/E. 



This large Order is well represented in Ceylon, more 

 particularly so in the wet low-country. 



Many examples are climbing plants, the first of which 

 affords an abundant flow of latex. 



The Order consists of nineteen Genera : Willughbeia, 

 Carissa, Rauvolfia, Alyxia, Huuteria, Cerbera, Ochrosia,Vinca, 

 Holarrhena, Tabernsemontana, Alstonia, Parsonsia, Vallaris, 

 Wrightia, Chonemorpha, Aganosma, Baissea, Anodendron, 

 and Ichnocarpus. 



202.— Willughbeia zeylanica. 

 Kiri-vel, S. 



Trim. Cey. Flor., vol. III., p. 123. 



A very large stout creeper, with dark purplish-brown 

 smooth bark. Leaves opposite, about three inches, ovate, 

 tapering to base, rather pointed at apex, smooth, with close 

 parallel lateral veins, rather short stalked. 



Flowers rather large, yellowish, conspicuous. Fruit large, 

 nearly round, smooth, reddish-pink. 



Affords an abundant supply of free-flowing pure white 

 caoutchouc that is used by the natives in the process called 

 " Boku-gevima" (^©ds^csdi©®), which consists of mixing 

 this latex with the wood resin of Dipterocarpus glandulosus, 

 and smearing the same over growing paddy so as to catch 

 Hymenopterous insects, so often destructive to rice. 



Very common in all the wet forests of both Provinces, 

 and specially so along the foot of the Peak range and in the 

 Sinha Raja forests. 



[Forests of the moist region ; rather common.] 



203. — Cerbera Odollam. 



Gon-kaduru, S. ®ato&3sr gdj. 

 Trim. Cey. Flor., vol. III., p. 128. 



