140 JOURNAL, K.A S. (CEYLON). [VOL. II., PART II. 



Millla is superior to jak for some purposes, being of a 

 rather closer texture. It is much preferred for frames of 

 doors arid windows, as it is nob liable to warp or shrink ; it 

 is, however, rather more scarce than jak, and in the 

 Western and Southern Provinces it is comparatively rare. 



Ilal-milila is a most useful wood for casks, especially 

 as packages for oil or arrack ; indeed, there is no other 

 wood in sufficient quantity adapted for the same purpose. 

 It is close grained, free from resin, and very pliable in the 

 cooper's hands. It is, moreover, a very clean timber, and 

 does not impart colour or taint to any liquid. Teak has been 

 sometimes used for oil casks on the coast, but it is not 

 liked here, as from its brittleness it is more liable to fracture. 

 Hal-milila grows to a great height, and usually very 

 straight; it is used frequently for beams of a large span, 

 though not preferred for this purpose. It is also in great 

 request amongst carriage-builders for spokes of wheels and 

 several parts of the carriage body. The principal supply 

 to the Colombo market comes from Trincomalee and 

 Battiealoa, where, especially between the latter place and 

 the Bintenna country, immense forests of it are found 

 adjoining rivers, without the aid of which the cost would be 

 greatly enhanced in conveying it to the sea coast. The 

 timber contractors employ in the felling of this and other 

 woods the village Veddas of Bintenna, and by their aid 

 supply the owners of small vessels and dhonies, who are 

 mostly Moormen, and these bring it round to Colombo, the 

 profit on the transaction giving them a very fair freight 

 for their vessels. 



The kina is another lasting and useful wood, and 

 from its great length and straightness is generally 

 employed for masts and yards of vessels. It is to be met 

 with in all the maritime provinces of the Island. 



The principal use of the suriya, or Persian wood, is for 



