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



most precious stones, the rarest metal, the costliest silk or 

 cotton fabric, or the choicest food. All these are obtained 

 by a wish on the part of any individual. The Sinhalese 

 poets have in all times compared the generous man to the 

 Kapruka, and vice versa. We read in Sri Rahula's Kdvya- 

 sekhara : — 



Ru siru guna sita 

 Sura tura dinii deta 

 Yilasin vimta 



Lovata kulunen sadisi mata. 



That is — " In personal charms (she) was as Princess Sita (the 

 Queen of Rama) ; her hands excelling (in generosity) even 

 the wishing-tree (Kapruka), her deportment exemplary, 

 and in her charity she was verily a mother to the world." 



Then there is the Kalu-nika. The Sinhalese Nika is the 

 Vitex, a medicinal plant common in the Island ; but no 

 one pretends to have seen Kalu-nika (or the black Vitex), 

 though the superstitious have a firm belief that it does exist in 

 certain jungles. It is reported not to be found in all jungles, 

 but only in such places as are noted or connected with the 

 doing of some heroic deed. 



The plant when met with and accidentally partaken of 

 by an old man, is said to at once restore him to health and 

 youth, his gray hairs disappear, and the "youthful vigour of 

 mind and body return to; him ; while the ugliest man or 

 woman who partakes of this wonderful plant is said to 

 be' transformed into a most beauteous and perfect creature. 

 This belief does not exist only among the Sinhalese people, 

 but also among the Indians and the Chinese. It is perhaps 

 fortunate that we do not come across this plant at 

 the present day, for who knows what comedies of errors it 

 would produce. It is natural for both men and women to 

 desire to acquire or regain youth and beauty. The plant 



