NO. 53. — 1902.] TREES AND FLOWERING PLANTS. 241 



Fairly common locally in the wet forests of the low- 

 country up to about 2,000 feet, and often so abundant as to 

 form quite a feature in the forest landscape. 



In great demand for cart hoods, frames, basket work, 

 and the like. Very strong. 



268. — Calamus radiatus. 



Kukulu-vel, S. <^r. 

 Trim. Cey. Flor., vol. IV., p. 333. 



A slender cane, about one-third of an inch in diameter, 

 armed with short spines, freely mixed with long bristles. 

 Leaves six to eight-foliate, about one foot long, thin, smooth 

 below. 



Rather abundant in the wet forests of both Provinces, 

 especially so in certain suitable localities. Rather variable 

 in point of length. 



Affords an excellent cane for tea baskets, and if carefully 

 dried, for caning chairs, or basket-work generally. 



[Note. — The Canes of Ceylon are represented by ten 

 species, but in the absence of a large number of examples, 

 in their various stages, it is unsafe to describe each, as their 

 specific differences require a minute botanical description, 

 not readily appreciable by the ordinary reader.] 



269.— -Borassus fldbellifer (Palmyra Palm). 



Tal, S. asd ; Paiiai, T. uSsw. 

 Trim. Cey. Flor., vol. IV., p. 336. 



It is hardly necessary to describe this well-known tree. 

 It is not common in either the Western or Sabaragamuwa 

 Province, though it occurs occasionally up to 1,200 feet, 

 but nowhere in a wild state. 



The wood forming the outer portion of the stem is hard, 

 dark, very strong, and durable, but of variable weight, 

 usually about 62 lb. per cubic foot. The wood affords 

 excellent rafters and laths, and can be worked up into 

 handsome furniture. The scope of this Paper will not 



