140 



Notes on Goomsoor* 



[Jan. 



to see the resin, as we passed along, but saw it not till I made a person 

 climb up a tree and cut me down a large branch ; I then found it in 

 distinct, light coloured, pulverizable, slightly aromatic concretions, be- 

 low, and in the interstices of, the rough outer bark ; or at the axils of, 

 or on wounds or knots on the branches. The flower buds had just 

 come out on long drooping panicles. The leaves cordate-acuminate, 

 ten to twelve inches long, seven broad; they are in great demand, and 

 are universally employed for the package of goods of all descriptions. 

 They are also used by every native in the country (Wodiah or Khond), 

 to smoke tobacco in ; being rolled up after the fashion of a cigar. 

 The wood is much used for the construction of houses, as well as for 

 firewood; it burns quickly, vath a bright flame (from the quantity of 

 resin it contains). 



The Palma mamma, waving beautifully its soft and verdant plumes, 

 was gr^^wing abundantly, both in the vicinity of villages and on the 

 banks and valleys of the forests. The pith of the spine, we found a 

 delightful delicacy when boiled. We used it daily as a vegetable at 

 dinner. 



The Bassia latifolia I have mentioned as growing abundantly ; it is 

 highly prized by the Ehonds on account of the intoxicating spirit pre- 

 pared from the young buds ; it is a large timber tree, the wood of which 

 is said to be good for boats and canoes. 



The Bombax pentandrum, beautiful and majestic in appearance, 

 gives a lively variety to the view ; when its crimson flowers bestrew 

 the ground, then, it is said, the work of death begins :-— the bloody hue 

 of its blossoms, erect and lookirrg upwards to the skies, as if invoking 

 the deity, may perhaps have taught the tribes to imagine it a sign from 

 heaven for their imitation. 



The Phyllanthus Emblica is extremely abundant in the jungles, and 

 to the weary and thirsty traveller, its boughs, loaded with the cooling 

 and refreshing fruit, are a welcome sight. 



The Zizyphus Jujuba was more or less abundant on the more open 

 country. (I may mention here that the variety with fruit the size of 

 the magnum bonum is growing near Samulcottah). 



The Semicarpus Anacardium forms whole jungles ; the fruit is ituch 

 eaten by the natives, and particularly so at present, when all their 

 grain and supplies have been destroyed. They live likewise, at 

 present, a great deal, on the addakulu chettu kai. They roast the 

 legumes for a certain time, and then open and eat the fruit. 

 The space on the top of the lofty conical hill was covered with 



