Nov. 190(5.] 



393 



Edible Products. 



gives a drawing of it, aud states that in that country it has made " a most luxuriant 

 growth, stems 6 ft. in height, tender to the base, and should prove a valuable addi- 

 tion to our fodder " ; he also says that it produces a useful grain, 



Chamai T. (Anglice, grain).— This differs from "Mondy" in being smaller, the 

 stems slenderer and decumbent at their bases. Leaves smaller 5—6 inches ovate- 

 lanceolate. The panicle is somewhat similar, but the upper spikes are all set altern- 

 ately on one side of the stalk and do not surround it as in " Mondy " ; the tufts of 

 bristles at the base of the spikes are often wanting. 



The spikelets are crowded in groups of 2—3, but are smaller, being about 

 3 mm. long as against about 5 mm. in "Mondy." The small glume 1 often remains 

 attached to the stalk, the spikelets falling away above it. 



Gojara-ivala, S. (gojara, edible ?— wala, grass.)— This variety so closely 

 resembles Chamai that I believe it to be the same grass slightly altered by climatic 

 conditions. I grew it from seed kindly obtained for me from Uda Nuwara by 

 my teamaker, Mr. J. A. Wijesingha. I also received a well-grown specimen from 

 near Kuruuegala, 4 feet in height, with the lower spikes over 2 inches long, alto- 

 gether a robuster specimen than anything I have been able to grow. 



The thicker stems, more flattened lower sheaths, stronger growth, somewhat 

 longer, lighter coloured leaf, more elongate spikes, and these not so closely set with 

 spikelets, and the more acute spikelets may constitute this a different variety. 



In Pour Korales and Uda Nuwara I am informed that " Gojara-wala " does 

 not exceed 11— 2 feet in height. I am indebted to Mr. Wijesinghe who is acquainted 

 with Tamil and Sanskrit as well as his mother tongue, for the English meanings 

 of the names of the cereals and also for the uses made of the grains. 



" Gojara-wala " is used for conjee for the morning meal ; when boiled with 

 coconut-milk, it is considered a luxury, allowed to get hard and cut into diamond 

 shaped pieces, it is known as "Kiribath," that is milk rice. 



Kuthrai-val-Chamai, T. (Horse-tail grass.)— This is a prostrate variety, the 

 stems, 2 feet or more, stretching along the ground from a branched leafy base. 

 Leaves 6—7 inches by § of an inch, ovate lanceolate. The panicle exserted from 

 the upper leaf is as long as it, and has a triangular flattened appearance. Spikes 

 alternate, decreasing from below upwards, the lowest lynches or more, upper 

 about | inch, the upper 1| inches of the rhachis unbranched but thickly studded 

 with spikelets, bristles at base of spikelets very few. Spike-lets as in Chamai. 



The seeds of this variety, and those of "Chamai" and " Gojara-wala" are 

 practically indistinguishable, those of " Mondy" are considerably larger, rhomboidal 

 OA oid, beaked, polished and striolate. 



(To be continued.) 







