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



233 



A rather slender pale-stemmed tree, with thin bark. 

 Leaves alternate, oblong-lanceolate, unevenly lobed at base, 

 acute at apex, serrate, strongly three-nerved, rather harsh 

 above, covered below with fine close silvery hair. Leaf- 

 stalks very short. Flowers greenish, in axillary cymose 

 clusters. 



Very common in open ground, near abandoned chenas and 

 dwellings, up to 4,000 feet. 



Wood light reddish-gray, soft, easily split, and quickly 

 decaying. Weight, about 30 lb. per cubic foot. Affords an 

 excellent charcoal, suitable for gunpowder, The tree is 

 much subject to attacks of wood-borers, and is only short- 

 lived. 



253. — Ficus nervosa. 



Kalamaduwa, S. apQ®§©. 

 Trim. Cey. Flor., vol. IV., p. 98. 



A large tree with dark, rather thick, smooth bark. Leaves 

 small, about one inch long, variable in shape, usually oblong- 

 lanceolate, narrowing to base, glossy, with about seven pairs 

 of lateral veins, of which the basal are short. Leaf-stalks 

 slender, about three-quarters of an inch. 



A rather common tree up to 1,500 feet, after which it 

 becomes scarce. 



Occurs freely in rocky places in the Kegalla District. 

 Wood pale yellowish-white, soft, with rather clear 

 annular rings. Weight, about 35 lb. per cubic foot. 



Is used for tea boxes, and affords a good neat package, but 

 unsuitable for any lasting purposes, 

 [Hantane, Hunasgiriya, Maturata.] 



Ficus callosa. 



Wal-gona, S. ©c^e3o«sJ«>. 

 Trim. Cey. Flor., vol. IV., p. 93. 



A tall handsome tree, with branches and twigs very pale 

 | hoary." Leaves large, six to eight inches long, oblong-oval , 

 M 21-02 



