NO, 53. — 1902.] TREES AND FLOWERING PLANTS. 207 



Fairly common in the dry parts of the Province of 

 Sabaragamuwa, especially towards the North-Western 

 Province boundary, and again from Kaltota to Tunkame. 

 Occurs near Ambepussa in the Western Province. 



Wood hard, brownish-gray, close-grained, but splits freely. 

 Weight, about 60 lb. ; suitable for cabinet work. 



The seeds yield the well-known alkaloid Strychnine, or 

 Nux-vomica of medicine. 



The bark is said to be useful in skin diseases, and affords 

 a good tonic. 



[Forests of dry region ; common.] 



210. — Stryclinos potatorum. 



Ingini, S. 



Trim. Cey. Flor., vol. III., p. 176. 



A small rather shrubby tree, with dark gray corky bark, 

 often much grooved. Leaves opposite, on very close short 

 stalks, ovate-lanceolate, rounded at base, tapering to rather 

 pointed apex. Smooth, rather glossy. Nerves three, some- 

 times five, starting from lower end of midrib. 



Flowers minute, in axillary cymes, white. 



Fruits small, nearly black, with one or two yellowish 

 shining circular seeds. 



Rare. Occurs near Ambepussa and north of Rambukkana. 



Wood yellowish-gray, smooth, close-grained, durable, used 

 for cart frames. 



The seeds, when rubbed against the insides of pots or jars, 

 cause muddy water to precipitate, and are often used for 

 this purpose where clear water is scarce. 



[Dambulla, Uma-oya, Trincomalee, Bibili, Kurunegala.] 



BIGNONIACEJE. 



This Order is represented by three Genera in Ceylon, all 

 possessed of more or less showy flowers. They are Oroxylum, 

 Dolichandrone, and Stereospermum. 



